The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (BRTDA) collects and maintains a variety of records. This information may provide useful insights to your business, and we are happy to share this public data with you. Find details on trends, markets, strategies, and more below. Please reach out with any questions or requests for additional information.
Local TDA Revenues
The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority revenues come from occupancy taxes that are remitted to the Town. This 6% tax is charged on overnight stays in Blowing Rock, paid by our visitors. The BRTDA operates on a July-June Fiscal Year.
- $1,870,092 in occupancy taxes was collected in Blowing Rock in the most recent fiscal year, 2023-2024.
- Occupancy tax revenues for 2023-2024 represent $31,168,200 in lodging sales alone.
- Lodging is understood to be, on average, a third of total spending on a trip. Using that, we can estimate that people who stayed overnight in Blowing Rock in the past fiscal year spent about $93.5 million.
- Total annual spending estimates can be divided to an estimated $256,176 PER DAY in visitor spending. Local taxes on all this spending offset the costs of providing services to residents, resulting in tax savings for locals.
Chart: Total Occupancy Tax revenues over time, 2016-2024
Chart: Monthly Occupancy Tax revenues compared over time, 2018-2024
For additional historical numbers or data, please reach out! Please note that the BRTDA does not collect data on occupancy rates, average daily rate, or other details that private businesses are not required to share for public record.
More Revenues
Tourism is a big industry in Watauga County!
- Visitor Spending in Watauga County in 2023: $517, 510,000
- Because of the state and local taxes paid by visitors, each Watauga County household saved an average of $649.11 in 2023.
Annual examination of the tourism industry in North Carolina is conducted by Visit North Carolina, the state’s tourism marketing organization. Follow these links for details about travel to and within North Carolina:
Economic Impact of Tourism (available by county)
Fast Facts Summaries
BRTDA Annual Reports
- 2023-2024 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2022-2023 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2021-2022 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report (report addendums: 2021-22 BRTDA Financial Audit, 2021-22 BRTDA Media Plan, Blowing Rock, NC Sustainable Tourism Management Plan)
- 2020-2021 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2019-2020 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2018 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2017 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
- 2016 Blowing Rock TDA Annual Report
BRTDA Research
The BRTDA regularly participates in and occasionally commissions tourism research. These studies help us learn about our visitor or larger travel trends. Results from some of our most recent projects can be found here:
Brand & Image Position Study, SMARInsights (Co-op with Visit NC) – 2023
Sustainable Tourism Management Plan, Roger Brooks International – 2021
Blowing Rock Database Survey Research, Magellan Strategy Group, 2018
Additionally, the BRTDA has contracted with Arrivalist and AirDNA to collect local data. These findings are reflected in Annual Reports. If you’re interested in specific insights on our travel markets and where our visitors spend their time, please contact us for more details.
BRTDA Strategy and Planning
The BRTDA creates a high-level marketing plan each year, and maintains a long-term strategic plan.
BRTDA Structure & Bylaws
The TDA is governed by a volunteer board of 5 volunteer members, appointed by Town Council. Regular board meetings are open to the public, and are held quarterly at Town Hall (3:30pm on the first Tuesday of March, June, September, and December). Dates are listed in the Blowing Rock Community Calendar, available at Town Hall and the TDA offices. The Authority board seats are specific, with two seats for lodging representatives, two for tourism-related business representatives, and one for an “at large” community representative. When there is an opening on the board, interested individuals may apply through the Town of Blowing Rock Board Appointment Application.
The staff consists of four full-time employees. The TDA also enjoys a strong partnership with the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, and works closely with the staff there. The Blowing Rock TDA offices are located at 132 Park Avenue, inside the Chamber of Commerce building in downtown Blowing Rock.
