A Cold Welcome: How Asheville’s "No Local" Hotel Policies Are Stifling Small Business Recovery
By Marge | Published 2025-12-30T19:03:57.431+00:00
News
Asheville -- December 30, 2025: While the holiday lights of downtown Asheville usually signal a season of abundance, this year they reflect a community fighting for its economic life. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina (WNC) small businesses have looked to their neighbors for support.
However, a growing trend of "No Local" policies at corporate hotel chains is creating a barrier that hurts more than just the travelers—it’s hurting the local economy.The issue took center stage this week after Brian Goldstone, a journalist and housing expert, shared his experience at the Hampton Inn on Tunnel Road. Despite having a reservation for his family during the Christmas holiday, he was turned away because he lived within a 50-mile radius. The reason provided by staff? A policy designed