Asheville Tourism & Hospitality Internship
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Asheville Tourism & Hospitality Internship Launching Summer 2025
The purpose of the internship program at Explore Asheville is to provide students with an introduction to the hospitality and tourism industry through hands-on experience and exposure to our partner offerings. Individuals can develop a variety of transferable hard and soft skills including customer service, public speaking, and time management in the following sectors:
- Destination Marketing and Management
- Food and Beverage
- Accommodations
- Recreation, Parks, and Sports
- Arts and Culture
- Retail
Schedule
- Internships at Explore Asheville require 120 hours a semester (approximately 20 hours a week for 6 weeks).
- Hourly wage based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator for 1 adult. Approximately $22.54.
- Interns are expected to spend several hours at Explore Asheville and out in the field each week (students will be accompanied by Explore Asheville Destination Project Manager).
- The exact days and times of work will be decided upon between the Destination Project Manager and the intern at the start of the internship.
Internship Duties
Interns will be assigned to a sector in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry or related field each week to observe/shadow and will assist in daily activities. This is subject to change as we work with our partners within the community.
Example Schedule
- Week 1: Explore Asheville - Business Development, Marketing, Partnership & Destination Management, and Culture & Business Affairs.
- Week 2: Accommodations - Hotel and accommodation industry.
- Week 3: Food and Beverage - Local independent restaurants.
- Week 4: Recreation and Retail – Outdoor recreation, parks, sports facilities, or independent retail establishment.
- Week 5: Arts and Culture - Arts, museums, and galleries.
- Week 6: Explore Asheville/Final Presentation Prep/Final Presentation
Example Assignments
- Attend a Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Board Meeting
- Presentation on experience in the field.
- Attend a site visit with a sales team member.
- Complete a 250-word newsletter article.
- Social media posts
- Attend/work Explore Asheville’s events during the semester such as Summer Social.
Contact Information
All inquiries & communications regarding the Explore Asheville Hospitality Internship Program should be directed to Kimberly Puryear.
