Lonely Planet names Asheville best in US
The travel guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has picked Asheville as its top U.S. destination for 2017.
Lonely Planet gave Asheville the No. 1 slot on its "Best of U.S." list — despite a state law limiting LGBT rights that has led companies, entertainers and others to boycott the state — because the city "has always been an open, welcoming place, and continues to be after the legislation," Lonely Planet magazine managing editor Rebecca Warren said.
She added that "while Lonely Planet doesn't condone the political exclusion of others," Asheville "thrives on diversity and tolerance. The city has many LGBT-owned businesses and there has been an outpouring of support this year for its LGBT communities, including signs cropping up around the city saying 'Y'all means all.'"
Other destinations on Lonely Planet's top 10 "Best in the US" list are Western Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; California's southern desert region; Montana's Flathead Valley; Atlanta; New York's Adirondack Mountains; the Texas Hill Country wine region; Denver; and Florida's "Emerald Coast."
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Stephanie Brown said the city has a "long history as a warm and welcoming place" that makes it worthy of the Lonely Planet honor.
Christopher Sgro, executive director of the LGBT organization North Carolina Equality and a member of North Carolina's General Assembly representing Greensboro, said in a phone interview that Asheville residents and leaders "are welcoming and try to create a progressive community, so I understand why Lonely Planet would want others to enjoy the city."