Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

A Different View

I recently worked with a CVB Board on developing its new Strategic Plan. Smart, savvy people, all gathered for the day to debate and decide the future of their destination.

One of the issues that kept coming up was the concern that rapidly escalating hotel room rates throughout the region would hurt the destination's ability to attract a diverse visitor base. Figurative fingers were "pointed" at the hoteliers on the Board, as if they were somehow conspiring to hurt the destination.

And then, one hotel executive tossed off a one-liner that stopped me in my tracks:

"Hotels don't set room rates. The market does."

I so want to attribute this line to the man who made it. However, that would reveal the name of the destination and, thus, the competitive concern being voiced at the table. And, I just can't do that.

But, Bill? You are so dead on. And thanks for making us all think.

It's All About Sex

It's that convergence thing again. You know...when two seemingly disparate things occur within minutes of each other that make you think, "hmmmmm?"

I caught Peter Yesawich's keynote yesterday, opening AmericInn's Annual Convention here in Madison. Now, I've seen Peter a bunch of times over the years as we criss-cross the country speaking to audiences about travel, trends and marketing. He often closes his presentations with a funny bit about the sexual side of today's consumer (something about country music and guns). Yesterday was no exception, to the delight of many in the audience.

Upon my return to the office, I was greeted by an e-mail from TIA's Roger Dow, prepping us all for National Tourism Week by sharing even more talking points on why tourism touches everyone.

Among them...42% of travelers say they feel more romantic on vacation and 31% say they have more sex on vacation.

My question: what's up with the 11% that feel more romantic...and don't?

Clueless at the Front Desk

Checking in at a fairly upscale and significant establishment in a destination. The host CVB is handling my room charges. The front desk personnel...are clueless.

Oh, they understand their facility...and do a fabulous job communicating the pool, fitness area, lounges and restaurants. But when they ask me who is handling the room charges, they seem absolutely stumped when I say "the Convention and Visitors Bureau."

"The Conference and Better Business Bureau?" the young man stumbles.

That's just...ummm...wrong, as the CVB brings that resort a ton of business. And, while one could certainly say its the fault of the CVB that the front desk doesn't understand...I'm pretty sure it's the fault of management.

TIA Parks One

Major kudos to Roger Dow and the Travel Industry Association of America for launching a web resource that finally resonates in the effort to connect the dots between tourism and the economy.

The Power of Tourism is an elegantly designed, data rich compendium of impact statistics that showcases just how vital a tourism economy is to America.

Every State's impacts are broken out...down to statistics for every Congressional District. The disparity between travel to and from several countries is detailed. And the site links to the equally robust site of the Discover America Partnership.

Finally...a clear and compelling message, backed with great data. Now, let's add the faces and the stories of the people that work behind the scenes to create the customer experiences that we're all about.

TIA's evolution continues to impress. But, they need the industry to step up and begin applying pressure to candidates at every level to get serious about developing policy initiatives to maximize the opportunities this industry offers this country's economy...and Quality of Life.

They can't do it alone...and time is running out.

Another Big Windy Season Forecasted

According to Colorado State researchers (where a LOT of hurricanes apparently occur), it's gonna be another bad season for the Atlantic this summer and fall.

These were the same guys that said last year was gonna be a monster.

When asked about that, CSU's Phillip Klotzbach said, "It's the nature of seasonal forecasting to sometimes be wrong."

Ya think?

So, what in the media's nature causes them to continue to quote a source that isn't credible?

Just asking....

Where Does it All Go?

Standing on my balcony the other night at the superb Beloit Inn, I watched in awe the power of the angry Rock River. I mean, millions of gallons of water rushing past me.....going to....where?

The record-breaking snows in the Midwest have resulted in unprecedented run-offs. Flooding is rampant. And as I watched the water race past me, I am reminded of the concept that you can never dip your toe into the same river twice.

I grew up in a river town...but I now live in a lake town. I guess I forgot. If you live near a river that is running hot, check it out. It is an amazing sensation.

And where does all that water go? It seems to be in a mighty hurry to get there.

Tattoo Remorse

According to the Aesthetic Book, half of all men and women undergo some degree of remorse about their tattoo by the time they turn 40.

So, what happens for those that got their tattoo after turning 40?

Just wondering...

Black Market Candy

From Slashfood.com (via Iconoculture) we learn that the politically correct ban on sweets and candy in our public schools has spawned an underground movement of kids selling contraband Snickers to other students.

Just like aggressive cleansing of a neighborhood drug trade can lead to more violent crime as former dealers move to other revenue generating options, is this really what we want to encourage our third and fourth graders to learn?

How to be pushers?

Saying Thank You

Ever pass a member of the military in an airport returning from active duty...and not thank them?

Yeah...me too sometimes.

My friend Berkeley Young shared this very cool video with his friends yesterday. Now, we have no excuse for neglecting this simplest of courtesies.

Thanks Berk...hope to share the stage with you again real soon, bro.

Got Nuthin Better To Do?

The Federal Government is attempting to block the Hot Springs (AR) DMO from trademarking its logo that refers to the Hot Springs National Park.

The DMO has been using the logo since 1987. The Interior Department now accuses it of perpetrating a fraud on consumers.

So...ummm...what? It's been OK for the past twenty years but now the government thinks that consumers will get confused about the destination vs. the Park?

Don't y'all have something better to do? Like make the Park appealing to a clientele that no longer finds National Parks at all interesting?

Rather than screwing with an agency that is trying to keep you relevant?