Hospitality Student Tours

Next Student Tour
Friday, November 8, 2024
12pm-6pm

• Tour the hospitality industry in neighboring Blowing Rock
• Meet hospitality business owners & employers
• Operations Q&As
• Ideal for Hospitality & Tourism Management Students

FREE TOUR!
Transportation and snacks included.

Featured 2024 Businesses

Chetola Resort – hear about operations, meetings & events, and adaptations to changing trends on a property tour.
Meadowbrook Inn– see rooms & event spaces and hear how much (or how little) operations differ from retro motor inns also owned by the hotel group.
Storie Street Grille– hear about renovation challenges and dining trends, plus enjoy some appetizers from the menu.
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum– short tour of the Museum to learn about the unique approach for the museum in this market/community.
Attractions Panel- hear from several local attractions owners about seasonality and how attractions change or adapt services to remain competitive.
The Blowing Rock Attraction– tour at the town’s namesake to get some history of the industry, plus photo ops.

transportation provided by Air Haven Limo

Students sign up here! 
(Contact Dr. Carol Kline if you have issues using the registration form: klinecs @ appstate.edu)

The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (BRTDA) is excited to continue its partnership program with the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at Appalachian State University. This program features annual academic tours of tourism-related businesses in Blowing Rock, designed for students studying Hospitality and Tourism.

On this fall tour, students can expect to meet several local business owners and managers at their businesses throughout the afternoon. This fast-paced dive into the Blowing Rock tourism economy offers a unique learning experience where students can see various locations, ask questions, and gain insights on operations. Students will also experience potential work-places first hand, for regular employment or internships.

The High Country is a vibrant tourism destination and an ideal community classroom for students in Hospitality Management. Blowing Rock in particular offers a number of models for how small businesses meet ever-changing challenges and opportunities in a resort town. Blowing Rock is full of successful hospitality businesses. The people behind them have so much expertise to share and we’re proud to highlight them as the business leaders they are. Hospitality students are potential employees and interns; they are also the next travelers and future business leaders!

Tours locations vary slightly each year, with an emphasis on variety and relevance to current studies. This tour program is part of increased efforts by the BRTDA to improve community communication and rapport. In keeping with its values of promoting economic growth and providing leadership in the local tourism industry, the BRTDA believes this program will help enhance the local tourism industry through improved connections. At a time when the service industry is struggling to maintain an adequate workforce, the BRTDA is also looking for ways to promote hospitality employment opportunities in Blowing Rock.

The BRTDA is grateful for the support of local businesses, and for each individual that generously shares their time and expertise for these tours!

Tour guide: Amanda Lugenbell, Assistant Director of the BRTDA and 2005 graduate of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Appalachian State University