Vacationing during a pandemic: NC tourism, short-term rentals gaining popularity

Now, a national company is stepping in to help generate more visitors, and the effort is making an impact on North Carolina's tourism industry.

After months on hiatus, the short-term rental craze may officially be back--especially in North Carolina.

Of all the places to visit in the country, "My Lodge Tax" reports that the Smoky Mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee is one of the top three destinations.

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The state's tourism office has been monitoring the surge and just partnered with Air BnB to collect data. The goal is to track where visitors are booking short-term rentals and to make sure no particular area becomes too overcrowded due to pandemic concerns.

"This can help a lot of rural areas spur their economies and also spread out travelers across the state where we don't have too many people and have a further spread of the virus," said Tuttell.

According to representatives from the travel industry, there are a lot of benefits to staying in a short-term rental instead of a large hotel, especially during a pandemic.

"Folks don't have to worry about interacting in a lobby or a major dining hall with other people. They just have a private space to themselves," said Viviana Jordan, who hosts an Air BnB.

With more people visiting safely, North Carolina tourism leaders say the economy will be reinvigorated sooner than we think.