Decrease in travel, higher gas prices lead to smaller tourism agency budget

ASHEBORO — With the decrease in business travel and higher gas prices affecting tourism, the proposed 2026-27 budget of the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is $65,000 less than the current fiscal year.

The draft budget was presented April 15 to the TDA Board of Directors. A public hearing and final approval of the budget will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the Randolph County Agricultural Center, 1800 E. Dixie Drive, Asheboro.

The TDA oversees the Heart of NC Visitors Bureau and the I-73/74 Visitor Centers. Revenues for the Visitors Bureau come primarily from a 5 percent county occupancy tax while the NC Department of Transportation funds the Visitor Centers, which remains at $220,000 for the coming fiscal year.

According to the presentation by finance officer Will Massie and clerk to the board Brooke Thomas, the proposed budget totals $1,805,000, down from $1,870,000 the current year.

The portion for the Heart of NC Visitors Bureau is $1,585,000, with occupancy taxes estimated at $1.3 million and interest income at $35,000. The rest, or $250,000, is projected to come from appropriated fund balance.

The executive summary explains the reason for the cutbacks in the budget. “Business travel to the county has dropped over the past year, and high gas prices will likely affect leisure travel.”

The budget message says: “Operating costs increased $13,504 over the prior year budget, particularly due to contracted IT services and computer replacements. Marketing costs total $847,000, which is a $27,327 decrease. Funding for tourism related programs is proposed  at $21,000 to continue promoting Randolph County tourism attractions and special projects.”

The budget message goes on to say, “The motivating goal of the Authority is to fuel the local business climate and broaden the tax base by supporting a welcoming environment that stimulates the visitor economy, producing new tourism dollars for Randolph County that helps further reduce the tax burden on residents.”