Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and ROI?

It’s not that hard of a concept. Time after time, the research shows that a government’s investment in marketing produces more tax revenue than it costs. So why, oh why, do Tourism Promotion budgets get lumped in with every other budget when it comes time to tighten the belt?

Just because we all need participate in the necessary cutbacks so that we are being “fair” to all departments? That we all have to “do our part?”

Well, tourism IS doing its part to keep the economy moving forward and generating much needed tax dollars for all the other departments to enjoy. And, tourism could do so much more if public officials could understand (as Jesse Ventura did at the beginning of his term as Governor of Minnesota) that cutting Tourism in order to be fair is just plain stoopid.

New data out of Ohio shows (again) that for every $1 of Tourism promotion, $5.60 in State Taxes were realized. Not a bad ROI, eh?

And one that has encouraged Governor Strickland to propose a 10% increase in his State Tourism Budget.

He understands that fair is fair...but Tourism warrants special consideration.

The Twouble with Twitter

Whether you Tweet or whether you think Twitter is stupid...you'll love this video.

And thanks to Meilee Anderson for the catch.

End of an Era

I know it's been in the works for months, but the swapping out of the gate signage at Northwest hubs certainly brings us a step closer to the day the airline is just another footnote in aviation history.

The transition appeared fairly complete in the parts of the Memphis airport I walked earlier this week. And this was the scene (click to enlarge) as the last few flights left Minneapolis on a night earlier this month. Workers prying the letters off the gate backdrops and replacing them with shiny Delta press-on stickers.

Next up (I'm told), the first new uniforms for Northwest's Flight Attendants in years...

I'm sure they're thrilled.

Where Elite Status Means Something

Offering Elite Status on an airline produces both good and bad results for airlines. Obviously, the intended result is to recognize its best customers with upgrades to better seats and service. However, with so many Elites out there and so few premium seats available, many Elite customers often find themselves disappointed when First Class checks in full.

Alaska Airlines has just instituted a smooth move to show a little love to the Elites that don't make the cut. According to the Wall Street Journal (through Reveries), "Alaska Airlines flight attendants (will) deliver favorite drinks to elite-level customers when they are sitting in coach, thanking them by name for their business."

Very Smart.

Making the Earth Hour Blackout an Attraction

Locales around the world will voluntarily turn off their lights for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday to observe Earth Hour. Toronto is one of those cities. No surprise there.

But here's where brilliant marketing takes what could be considered lemons for a hotel and turns them into a sensational lemonade confection.

The Fairmont Royal York hotel is offering locals the sensational rate of $99. Check-in and dinner will be by candelight. Members of the hotel’s “Green Team” will dim the lobby lights and light the grand candelabra. Guests can also visit the candlelit pool.

Throughout the evening, The Fairmont Royal York’s Library Bar will treat patrons to candlelight service and a special Earth Hour drink menu created just for this year’s cause: the Polar Cap (a cool drink in a highball glass), the Organic Globe (an icewine martini) and the controversial Carbon Footprint.

Going green never sounded more fun.

Thanks to The Tourism Exchange for the catch.

Vegas Punches Back

While not apologizing for its brand essence, the Las Vegas CVA is countering its unfortunate castigation as a business-person's playground with Vegas Means Business, a website that sets the record straight...and offers 10 Reasons why planners should hold events in the City.

Among the facts of the matter: Attendees at Vegas meetings aren't constantly sneaking off...they spend more time on the trade show floor than the national average (by a lot).

Best line in the "Open Letter:" If you're looking for places that are less fun than Las Vegas, you could find them easily. Close your eyes and point at a map. If you're looking for a destination that has the chops for business, check out the facts.

Hell yeah.

Fewer Meetings. Fewer Flowers

While some in the Administration are back-peddling from the impression that conventions are bad (after all, that one in Denver last summer worked out pretty well for the President), the fuel is on the fire and some members of the media continue to fan the flame.

Just back from the Wisconson Governor's Conference on Tourism where the closing dinner featured a stirring presentation from the US Travel Association's Geoff Freeman...and these bigger-than-life table decorations.

Which drove home even further that it's not just hotel, convention hall and restaurant workers that get hurt when meetings stop. It's also the dry cleaners, the A/V companies, limo and taxi drivers, event planners, theaters, local arts groups...and florists.

Just to name a few.

Photo Credit: My friend Denise Stillman

These Tough Economic Times

It wasn't to the extent of a flashmob...but the type of people I like to hang with at the just completed Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism were of a fairly singular mind. Everytime the talking head said "tough economic times," they would raise their glass and say "hell yeah."

Hell yeah.

Because these "tough economic times" exist because most of us are allowing the 24/7 media to cow us into silent submission.

Whenever you hear the words "tough economic times," raise your glass. We'll be raising ours.

Cause we're tired of being victims to a media that only makes money on bad news. And once we all realize that the news isn't...we'll be better off.

NBC Doesn't Get It...ABC Does

Another NBC talking head has announced a pull-back from "exotic" travel because it just wouldn't look right in these "tough economic times" (come back tomorrow for some fun on that overused phrase).

First, it was Brian Williams saying that his family would be skipping their spring break so as not to appear insensitive to the economic malaise. Now, to be fair, he has since become way more aware of the impact that such a move would have on the hospitality industry and is planning to travel to New Orleans.

But, it seems he didn't share this wisdom with Matt Lauer, who has announced that the Today Show won't be continuing the "Where In The World is Matt Lauer" segment because it sends the wrong message.

Over at ABC, however...they seem to have gotten the memo, as Deepak Chopra said yesterday: If you can afford a vacation, then you must definitely take it. It'll help the economy.

I knew there was a reason I watch GMA. And thanks to my friend Kim Lilly at the Lehigh Valley CVB for the catch.

Out of Money? Burn Down a Phone Booth

Or, to be more precise...11 phone booths. That what a disgruntled German tourist did recently in Thailand after he lost all his money to "Thai Bar Girls."

While I don't quite get the connection, I'm sure after a night of partying his butt off, it made perfect sense.

Thanks to The Tourism Exchange for the catch.