Jackson County Announces 2022 Visitor Impact

Jackson County Announces 2022 Visitor Impact

Jackson County Announces 2022 Visitor Impact Visitor Spending Increased by 3.5 Percent to $452.57 Million JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (8/25/2023) — Ideally situated in the Western North Carolina mountains and comprised of the distinctive towns of Cashiers, Sylva, Dillsboro and Cherokee, Jackson County today announced an increase of 3.5 percent in visitor spending during 2022. Domestic and international visitors to and within Jackson County spent $452.57 million last year, up from $437.41 million in 2021. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “I am delighted to see the steady increase in visitor spending within Jackson County during 2022,” said Nick Breedlove, director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA). “These numbers are a testament to our destination’s timeless charm and enduring appeal. We’re grateful to a long list of dedicated lodging, restaurant and sustainability partners who help attract returning and new visitors each year.” Visitors deposit on average $1,239,917 every day into Jackson County businesses. These dollars support local jobs, which help people put food on the table, pay their mortgages, and support their families. Additionally, sales tax revenues are generated by this spending which comes back to Jackson County’s budget and in turn, support critical items like parks and recreation, law enforcement and fire departments, housing services, emergency medical services and more. Jackson County is known for outdoor adventure, culture, shopping, dining and charming locales. Visitors also enjoy the nation’s first and only Fly-Fishing […]

TDA Welcomes Caleb Sullivan as Sales and Marketing Manager

Caleb Sullivan

TDA Welcomes Caleb Sullivan as Sales and Marketing Manager

JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (August 27, 2019) – The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority is excited to announce the hire of Caleb Sullivan as its new Sales and Marketing Manager. The Jackson County TDA is the marketing, promotion, and destination management organization for the county. Founded in 2013, the Jackson County TDA’s main goal is to inspire visitation to the area, promote local offerings, and in turn, support the growth of the local economy. A longtime county resident, Sullivan is a Communication and Public Relations graduate of Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College and Smokey Mountain High School. “We’re thrilled to have Mr. Sullivan join the TDA,” Executive Director Nick Breedlove said. Sullivan began interning with the TDA in January of this year, and his passion and dedication to Jackson County is unmatched. “It’s the perfect example of a partnership with Western Carolina University that turned into something long-term and mutually beneficial.” As the second full-time hire of the TDA, Sullivan will focus on curating and creating social media content, marketing the county to groups, retreats and conferences, and developing strategies for driving revenue during the slower visitation months of the year. During his internship, Sullivan completed many projects on behalf of the TDA, including a comprehensive crisis communication and management plan. “It is an honor to join the TDA and work alongside Director Breedlove and the TDA Board,” Sullivan said. “I enjoy contributing to marketing efforts that generate jobs and helps to sustain our local economy and small businesses. Growing […]

JCTDA Executive Director Nick Breedlove receives CDME credential

JCTDA Executive Director Nick Breedlove receives CDME credential

Jackson County Tourism Development Authority Executive Director Nick Breedlove earned the Certified Destination Management Executive credential in St. Louis on July 25. The credential is the highest individual educational achievement worldwide in the tourism industry offered through Destinations International. In the past two decades, only 400 industry leaders have received the credential. Breedlove was among 31 leaders who received the credential at the DI Annual Conference.

Nick Breedlove Completes STS Marketing College, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification

Nick Breedlove Completes STS Marketing College, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification

Nick Breedlove Completes STS Marketing College, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification Sylva, NC (March 2019) – Nick Breedlove, Executive Director at Jackson County Tourism Development Authority has completed the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College and earned certification as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP). As Executive Director, Breedlove oversees all digital and print marketing, social media, public relations, visitor center operations, research and strategic planning for Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.  He has previously been recognized as A Rising Star by the Travel and Tourism Research Association and this year received the Southeast Tourism Society’s Shining Star Award for Tourism Office of the Year. He serves on the board of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association and was recently elected as one of two board members from North Carolina to the Southeast Tourism Society Board of Directors. He also serves as State Chair for the Washington, D.C. Congressional Summit on Tourism. “I am honored to receive my TMP certification and have enjoyed learning from the faculty at Southeast Tourism, which furthers the work we do in Jackson County to make it a great place to live, work, and visit,” Breedlove said. Breedlove was among 62 STS Marketing College graduates in the Class of 2018. The graduates were announced at the STS Connections conference in Daytona Beach, Fla., earlier this month. The Class of 2018 had members from all 12 states in Southeast Tourism Society. The program began in 1992 and has produced 1,154 TMPs. STS Marketing College uses […]

Nick Breedlove Completes STS Marketing College, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification

STS TMP Nick Breedlove

Nick Breedlove Completes STS Marketing College, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification

Sylva, NC (March 2019) – Nick Breedlove, Executive Director at Jackson County Tourism Development Authority has completed the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College and earned certification as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP). As Executive Director, Breedlove oversees all digital and print marketing, social media, public relations, visitor center operations, research and strategic planning for Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.  He has previously been recognized as A Rising Star by the Travel and Tourism Research Association and this year received the Southeast Tourism Society’s Shining Star Award for Tourism Office of the Year. He serves on the board of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association and was recently elected as one of two board members from North Carolina to the Southeast Tourism Society Board of Directors. He also serves as State Chair for the Washington, D.C. Congressional Summit on Tourism. “I am honored to receive my TMP certification and have enjoyed learning from the faculty at Southeast Tourism, which furthers the work we do in Jackson County to make it a great place to live, work, and visit,” Breedlove said. Breedlove was among 62 STS Marketing College graduates in the Class of 2018. The graduates were announced at the STS Connections conference in Daytona Beach, Fla., earlier this month. The Class of 2018 had members from all 12 states in Southeast Tourism Society. The program began in 1992 and has produced 1,154 TMPs. STS Marketing College uses facilities at the University of North Georgia at Dahlonega for three […]

2016 Visitor Spending Rises for Jackson County, N.C.

2016 Visitor Spending Rises for Jackson County, N.C.

JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (August 23, 2017) – Visit North Carolina recently announced that domestic visitors to and within Jackson County spent $188.24 million in 2016, an increase of 7 percent from 2015, making it the third largest percentage growth in tourism spending in the state for the last year. “We are extremely pleased to hear the visitor impact numbers from 2016,” said Nick Breedlove, Director of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. “Along with a healthy market last year, I am very proud of the team who contributed to this 7-percent growth in tourism spending. Our Tourism Development Authority, Chambers of Commerce, advertising and public relations agencies, restaurants, accommodation owners and our State Tourism Office (VisitNC) all played a significant role in bringing in visitors and accelerating the growth.” “The great natural resources of Jackson County’s mountains, hiking, fly fishing and outdoor activities used to be the best kept secret in western North Carolina,” said Dr. Steve Morse, Western Carolina University Professor of Hospitality and Tourism. “With some creative and strategic marketing of the area by Tourism Director Nick Breedlove, more and more people are discovering all the many outdoor activities and cultural events to do in this quiet mountain area. Tourism is vital to the Jackson County economy, and these new economic impact numbers prove how important tourism is to the region. As a result of tourist spending in Jackson County, each of the 26,949 households pay $711 less a year in state and local taxes.” Tourism impact highlights […]