FLETCHER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein kicked off a weeklong visit to Western North Carolina on Monday with a stop at Asheville Regional Airport, urging travelers to “rediscover the unforgettable” as part of a statewide tourism campaign.
Stein, joined by First Lady Anna Stein, is touring the region to promote small businesses and outdoor destinations as communities continue to rebound from last year’s Tropical Storm Helene. The visit began with a news conference at the airport, which recently opened a new concourse as part of a major expansion project.
“Travelers often take their first steps into Western North Carolina right here at Asheville Regional Airport,” Stein said in a news release. “Our mountains are home to unforgettable landscapes, experiences and people. There’s something here for everyone.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley joined Stein at the event and highlighted the airport’s economic importance.
“Asheville Regional Airport is more than just a gateway — it’s a vital economic engine for Western North Carolina,” Lilley said in the release. “This region’s resilience, beauty, and hospitality continue to draw visitors from across the country. Through the ‘Rediscover the Unforgettable’ campaign, we’re not only inviting people to experience all that western North Carolina has to offer — we’re helping local communities and small businesses thrive.”
The “Rediscover the Unforgettable” initiative, launched earlier this summer with VisitNC, provides marketing support to local chambers of commerce, tourism boards and small businesses. Stein announced the effort at the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park, which had been closed for repairs following storm damage.
Asheville Regional Airport continues to see record growth. In 2024, it welcomed more than 2.1 million passengers for the second year in a row. The airport is projected to host six major airlines this fall, including American, Delta, JetBlue and United, offering direct flights to cities such as Boston, New York, Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington, D.C.
A 2024 report from the N.C. Division of Aviation found that AVL supports more than 22,000 jobs and generates an estimated $3.9 billion in economic impact for the region.