Hospitality in Boone is about much more than giving visitors a place to sleep. A memorable stay depends on the restaurants, shops, recreation, events, and community relationships that shape a visitor’s entire experience in the High Country.

Danielle Neibaur, who manages The Horton Hotel and The Inn at Crestwood, joins James and Jamie to discuss her path into hospitality and the unique experiences independent hotels create. She also explores seasonality, hotel pricing, App State’s influence, workforce recruitment, and the challenge of supporting hospitality employees who cannot afford to live where they work. Danielle shares how the community came together to relocate a wedding during Hurricane Helene and why Boone’s collaborative spirit remains one of its greatest strengths.

In this episode:

• How independent hotels create experiences rooted in their locations
• Why hotels depend on surrounding restaurants, businesses, and attractions
• How App State, seasonality and major events influence Boone’s hospitality economy
• The workforce and housing challenges facing local tourism businesses
• What Hurricane Helene revealed about the High Country’s resilience

Join the conversation: How can Boone support a strong tourism economy while also supporting the people and businesses that make the visitor experience possible?

Follow Boone Tea for thoughtful conversations about the people, places, and decisions shaping Boone and the High Country. Help us broaden the conversation: share this episode and tell us what we should explore next.

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