Patrick Whalen, president of Public Interest Projects, Inc., provides insightful historical context about the contributions of the tourism industry in his Citizen-Times op-ed piece, “Tourism –A catalyst for economic health or a nuisance?” Pat recognizes that community partnership is at “the foundation for the successful independent local business scene that we enjoy today,” and stating “Tourism has been a tremendously underappreciated tool in helping Asheville become a successful, profitable, thriving and desirable destination.”
Read the full editorial here.