The Town of Highlands was among several cities and towns that made the list of Forbes Top Southern Destinations in 2021.
Along with Highlands, Dunwoody, Ga., Birmingham, Ala., Lake Murray Country, S.C., Shenandoah Valley, Va. And Lake Nona, Orlanda, Fla., were all named to the list.
“I’m not surprised Forbes would recognize Highlands and our outstanding hospitality community,” Highlands’ mayor Patrick Taylor said. “We all want to attract visitors who appreciate and support our fine restaurants, hotels, shops and events in the arts, culture and outdoor recreation venues.”
The article listed several reasons to visit Highlands, including the weather, Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Whitewater Falls, Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Half-Mile Farm and several outdoor activities.
“Forbes is an excellent publication to be featured in for our demographics,” Executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce Kaye McHan said. “Visit Highlands promotes to the 100 people that will spend $1,000 not the 1000 that will spend $100. The article also shows that Forbes is watching traveler sentiments and trends. The nationwide trend in traveling for 2021 has been small mountain and beach destinations, which, of course, includes Highlands, as well as our sister cities here in WNC. There is an anticipated correction predicted to happen near the end of 2021 and going into 2022. The new strain of virus will impact the timing of a correction in travel. So, the predictions will be changing.”
McHan said Highlands has been the recipient of increased visitors during COVID-19.
“Highlands has been the recipient of increased visitors and the additional funding they provide in sales, property, and occupancy tax during COVID, all due to these travel trends,” McHan said. “Many cities and towns have lost multiple businesses, millions of dollars and are still struggling due to the loss of tourism. I recently took a trip to Baltimore and experienced this firsthand. It is so sad to see our cities suffering and I can’t imagine how difficult it will be for them to recover. We must remember those suffering cities equates suffering people who are owners, workers and consumers. This is a time to count our blessings and plan for the correction that will happen in our future.”
- by Christopher Smith