Finance it, and they will come?

 Finance it, and they will come?

3/9/21

High adventure parks in the high country are very interesting to look at when, and how they have dealt with Covid-19. As the Boone area has been flexed in case numbers over all after the mandatory shut down everything is coming back to life. Slowly but surely and this is true in high adventure places. The major adventure parks in the area have not closed their doors, but have seen an impact for sure. These places such as Hawksnest zipline, High Gravity Adventure Park, and other areas like this are still running their programs but at a lower capacity. In a different case, the Wilderness Alpine Coaster opened its doors come summer 2020 with booming sales, and participation from the public. All over the state this high adventure place has been marketed, as well as other companies. In an article written by a Charlotte observer it is said “ “We have been extremely busy,” said Ashley Brown with Wilderness Run. “We have had to change how we operate a few times and appreciate the public being

understanding through this fluid situation.” After the three months of quarantine people are wanting to go outside, and do things safely and socially distanced. The high adventure places have reported that the participation levels are starting to go back up because of a push for outdoor recreation. Who wouldn’t want to go ziplining after being in their house all spring. With the current 2021 spring season approaching there have been lots of recruitment for staff in these areas with anticipation for a busy summer in the high country. 

With the current restrictions going on in North Carolina it is known that all businesses will be running at half capacity until March 26th of this current year. With these restrictions it is also very true that incomes have been impacted, and that these centers will not be seeing the same participation as it once has. With that being said everywhere else has been seeing the same impacts. Because the high adventure places are a recreational source the customers levels on the lower end as well because the average American family may not have extra disposable income to come to the Boone area and use these facilities. This can because of higher prices in lodging as well as a capacity limit on restaurants etc. On the other hand speaking from a personal note, working in a kitchen this fall/winter there was not a “slow” season and restaurant owners saw a comeback during this time. Boone is very seasonal based as well so combined with Covid-19 this could impact this business in the near future again.

 Simone Johnson from Business weekly reports that with Covid-19 running around it is even more impossible for individuals to receive small business loans. Some places offer low interest payments but keep that loan active for a longer period of time. She also reports that in order to receive those loans you will need higher credit scores compared to that of the past, as well as flawless business plans. Other financial impacts when looking at high adventure places should be the participants willingness to spend. The Boone area is very a tourist based economy with that being impacted we look at the residents who own second homes in the area which might be the biggest demographic of who we see at these businesses. What financial plans do we need to take in order to maintain their business? With vaccines coming out, and hopefully a lower in Covid cases would it be a wise choice to expand so that when this is all over, we will have the facilities to accommodate? The real question is who will pay for it, and if we finance it will they come?