Your plans and day to day activities may have changed, but this is temporary and we are stronger together.
During this unprecedented event, it is our mission to keep our visitors informed and focus on the health and safety of all those who live or travel to in our area. As the COVID-19 situation is continuously evolving, we are monitoring vigilantly and are working with Federal, state and local governments and health authorities to support efforts to mitigate the spread of this virus. While we understand that this may impact your travel plans, we want to keep you updated with the steps we are taking to keep your health and safety top of mind and remind people to practice social distancing.
In response to the region’s current and projected economic situation, several economic development and tourism leaders created the online information sharing platform called the Appalachian Highlands Economic Aid Directory (AHEAD).
The directory is being used to let the public know what businesses are doing during the quarantine. Businesses input information such as take-out options, closures and other information that could assist them until the situation improves. Now that the listing portion of the site is active, organizers are turning their attention to other ways to leverage the site to build community and get ahead of the projected decline in our local economy.
The Region Ahead project has created new features to bring the community together safely and boost the economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There are now pages for community F.A.Q., community resources and for volunteers to sign up to serve the community.
Partners involved in this effort so far include Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association and Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership.
Protect Yourself and Use Your Best Judgement
To protect yourself and others, please take the following precautions as recommended by the CDC:
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds;
- Avoid sharing food and drinks;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your elbow; and
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Our hearts and thoughts are with those who have been affected by COVID-19. We send our deep appreciation to those in our community, the healthcare industry and first responders who are working on the front lines to mitigate the spread and impact of this virus. Our community and its people are resilient; we will persevere through this and are optimistic about the future.
We thank you for considering Northeast Tennessee and look forward to welcoming you back.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (NETTA), chartered in 1977, is a non-profit tourism organization that serves and supports Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties in Tennessee, as well as portions of Southwest Virginia. NETTA also serves as one of nine statewide regional tourism organizations recognized by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and was recognized as the 2019 Destination Marketing Organization of the Year by Hospitality Tennessee. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst to enhance regional economic and community growth through the promotion and development of tourism.
