Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

A Tasty Way to Stimulate the Economy

130 Million people eat out in America every day...which pumps $3 billion into the economy, every day.

That's one I didn't know...and just one in a great video that clearly explains the impact of restaurants on the nation's economy. And the devastating effect when we begin to view eating out as a luxury.

Thanks to my friend Maura Gast of the Irving CVB for the catch.

Making Lemonade

It's no secret that the Meetings Industry has been demonized by those that want the have-nots to hate the haves. But, in the attempt to defame those that have by showcasing their lavish travel lifestyles, good destinations (and thousands of now out-of-work hospitality employees) got spattered by the same brush. Orlando, Las Vegas, Hawaii and others are now hurting more than the rest of the country because of their reputation as a great place to meet.

Tom Caradonio's crew at the Northern Kentucky CVB surely feel their peer destinations' pain. But, in desperate times, you gotta go with a message that resonates.

Thanks to my bud Meilee Anderson of Seattle Southside for the catch.

Get Out! The House Gets Off its Ass.

The US House of Representatives finally got around to passing the US Travel Promotion Act yesterday by a not unsubstantial vote of 358-66. The Senate passed identical legislation earlier in September by a vote of 79-19, but procedural dynamics require an additional Senate vote, anticipated in the coming weeks.

Interestingly, they still follow some rules in Congress (who knew?). Evidently, because the legislation creates "revenue" for the federal government, the Constitution requires that the bill originate in the House...hence the need for the Senate to pass the House version of the bill.

Whatever...but isn't it interesting that somebody FINALLY recognizes that Tourism Marketing produces Tax Revenue?

Sigh...

And to paraphrase RFK: "And now it's (back over) to the Senate. And let's win there."

Destination Leaders That Get It

My friend Bill Baker once said that Room Tax (which is how most destination marketing is funded) was the worst thing that ever happened to Destination Marketing.

Huh?

He went on to say that Room Tax gave political leaders the idea that it was the only means with which to fund a destination strategy.

Touche.

Which is why it's so cool to hear that Jack Wert and his crew at the Naples FL CVB will be the recipients of an additional million dollars from the County with which to market their sensational destination.

I'm so loving, however, from where the County allocated the money for enhanced promotion. Half of it comes from a fund set aside for emergency beach restoration after a hurricane.

And the realization by the County that this economy is...ummm, yeah...an emergency.

When Will Politicians Learn?

Every action produces a reaction.

When the President takes a swipe at fat cat junkets to Las Vegas, thousands of citizens lose jobs as meeting planners cancel events in high profile destinations in a mad scramble to appear responsible. When the Vice-President said he wouldn't get on a plane for fear of catching the flu, people start canceling travel plans, putting even more jobs at risk.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is now threatening Hyatt with a State boycott of their hotels if they don't rehire housekeepers recently let go at three Boston hotels.

Yeah...that makes sense. It's unfortunate enough that Hyatt was forced to outsource these housekeeping jobs. But, they did what they had to do to avoid losses that would put even more employees at risk. It's what business does...make the hard decision.

But doesn't Patrick realize that, if he follows through on his threat, he puts even more Hyatt employees at risk?

What am I saying? Of course he doesn't. Or, more likely, he does and doesn't care.

Who is John Galt?

UPDATE From USAE: Hyatt Hotels on Friday said all housekeepers affected by August staff reductions at the three Hyatt hotels in Boston will be offered new full-time positions in the Boston market. The jobs, provided by an affiliate of United Service Companies, will match the employees’ previous Hyatt rate of pay through the end of 2010, the company said, and the Boston Hyatt hotels will extend health care coverage through March 31, 2010...

A Virus by Any Other Name

One of Wisconsin's legislative brain trust was successful yesterday in passing a non-binding resolution (what, nothing else to do on a slow Thursday?) encouraging everybody in the Badger State to stop calling it "Swine Flu." Apparently on the notion that doing so has hurt pork sales.

My friend Tim Morrissey, whose blog The Way Things R is on my daily read, nailed it today when he wrote:

"It’s a wonder we still eat chicken, with all that talk about Chicken Pox."

'Bout snorted my juice through my nose...

Closer. Closer.

The U.S. Senate yesterday voted 79-16 to approve the Travel Promotion Act. Finally. That's one less vote than they had on Tuesday...but, frankly, I'm too busy to check the roll call to see who weaseled out at the last minute. Feel free if you've got nothing better to do.

Now, it's on to the House, where the fear is that their agenda is too healthcare centric to give the TPA room to breathe. Thus, the same full-court press the industry exerted on the Senate will need to be employed...if not doubled.

In his message to the travel industry following yesterday's result in the Senate, USTA's Roger Dow said that the overwhelming vote was a result of "relentless support and advocacy from the travel community..."

While the level of advocacy has been, indeed, impressive...we need to all understand the "relentless" part.

Ummm...that was Roger.

Dude...you rock.

Is Today the Day?

OK...it's a procedural move, I guess. And, regardless of yesterday's post...

Yesterday afternoon, 80 US Senators voted to move to a final vote on the Travel Promotion Act, which for the first time will create a public-private partnership to promote travel to the United States.

The Senate is now tasked with one final vote on passage of the bill scheduled for this afternoon at 4:30 (EDT). Following Senate passage, the House of Representatives will again need to vote to approve. But according to USTA, the House is currently focused on health care legislation, so the Travel Promotion Act could be sidelined by other legislative priorities.

Why do I feel like Charlie Brown watching Congress do their best Lucy Van Pelt imitation?

Another View of the Travel Promotion Act

Those of us in the U.S. Travel Industry have been pushing Congress to get off its partisan ass and pass the Travel Promotion Act. Leaders there say they'll get right to it, ummm, today.

But, as it so often is the case, what we see as a solution to this nation's woeful dereliction of duty when it comes to tourism-based economic development is viewed through a completely different lens abroad.

Like this post from Gadling in which a columnist from across the pond is simply aghast that America would tack on additional fees on top of the already onerous process to visit...just to have the extra cash to invite people to grab their ankles and take it.

Interesting view...and one that I, as someone used to grabbing his ankles, hadn't thought of.

The Free Press Gets It

I'm not about to say that I haven't seen editorials supporting tourism promotion and development before. But, just as the "Pure Michigan" television ads are about the most evocative I've ever seen, yesterday's editorial in the Detroit Free Press is about as good as they get.

Ron Dzwonkowski hits the nail on the head when he calls out the State for dropping Travel Michigan's budget from $30 million to $5 million next year. Best lines:

"It's good to have people bring money here and leave it here. Travel Michigan can even show how every dollar spent advertising in other states turns into...$2.86 in state tax revenue.

To squeeze the spigot now is just not smart, for Michigan's economy or image, which go hand in hand."

But, are State officials in Michigan smart enough to listen?