I've been doing some research and apparently the locals even avoid the beach side during tourist season and I've fallen in love with the little town called Duck, NC or even Corolla where you need a 4x4 to get there

If you’re near commuter lines to NYC, you can also get tourist income on Airbnb.

Look for areas with high tourist demand and strong rental yields, and consider attending real estate seminars to gain insights into the latest trends and strategies.  

They have called the police on guests (in the middle of the day, for parking over a sidewalk in the driveway, for noise when guests were playing dominoes by the pool and on and on)…one neighbor yelled obscenities at my guests (in front of children), saying, “We don’t want tourists!” 

Some towns may have restrictions on short term rentals, but for the most part, specifically in the ski towns that you mentioned, Vermont depends on tourist revenue to survive and I have not heard further news restricting rentals. 

Yes, it has gotten more expensive, especially in the tourist areas like Old San Juan/Condado/Rincon. 

Broad question, so here's an overview of the area:Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) is the tourist attraction.

wine? 

It was even voted one of the best states to retire on top of being great for investing whether it's Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads in Virginia which includes 7 cities with tourist and government opportunities.Whether you're looking for short term, midterm, vacation rentals, tenants who could rent for multiple years or even decades.

Quick thoughts on the markets you're considering:Knoxville, TN: Growing, affordable, and a strong university presence.Huntsville/Montgomery/Tuscaloosa, AL: Huntsville's got tech, while Montgomery and Tuscaloosa have colleges.Asheville, NC: Popular tourist spot, but competitive and pricey.Akron, OH: Affordable, but keep an eye on the local economy.Irving, TX: Part of DFW, so a big market, but prices are higher.St.