Bookings through Airbnb skyrocketed in the past year in Buncombe County. A study commissioned by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority showed demand for rentals through the site increased 105% in the past year. Hotel room bookings grew only 3% during the same time. The growth in Airbnb demand comes despite its murky legal status in Asheville. Airbnb rentals are legal in "commercial" parts of the city, but illegal in "residential" parts. Whether to expand or contract Airbnb