Obama in Asheville? "Priceless" publicity

Quoting from the Sunday, April 18, 2010 Asheville Citizen-Times:

Obama in Asheville? "Priceless" publicity

Officials expect bump in tourism, by Clarke Morrison

Amount of money spent each year on ads promoting the city as a tourism destination: $2.5 million. Value of having the president of the United States choose the city for a weekend vacation: "Priceless."

That's according to Marla Tambellini, director of marketing for the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, who was thrilled to learn that President Barack Obama plans a trip here beginning Friday.

News of the visit by the president and first lady Michelle Obama is sure to increase the city's profile among those deciding where to travel and spend their money, she said. "Anytime you have a notable person visit, it certainly raises the level of awareness of your destination," Tambellini said. "But when you have someone as significant and important as the president of the United States, that's certainly publicity you can't buy. Having the leader of the free world visiting your destination is priceless as far as promoting your community as a great vacation getaway."

The Obamas plan to spend the weekend at the Grove Park Inn. The White House said there will be no public events during the visit.

Mayor Terry Bellamy met with the president when he campaigned here on Oct.5, 2008. "I think we made a good impression on him and his family when they were here last," Bellamy said. "He said then that he liked Asheville and that he would return." The mayor said she believes a vacation visit by a sitting president will boost tourism.

Surveys conducted for the Convention and Visitors Bureau show that Asheville receives nearly three million overnight leisure visitors a year. "The president's visit here will only add to the attractiveness of Asheville for visitors," said Rick Lutovsky, president of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.