Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

New on DMOU: New York State's STR Legislation

When it comes to Short Term Rentals, trying to put the genie back into the bottle has proven elusive for most governments. Initially defended as a property rights play, elected leaders are now grappling with its unintended impact on affordable housing. On this edition of DMOU, we welcome 1000 Island International Tourism Council CEO Corey Fram with a fascinating story of how, after several twists and turns, the New York State Legislature actually passed a bill this session that brings STRs outside of New York City into the Tourism and Community Development eco-system. And, it all came down to framing the issue as not a Tourism or Fairness issue…but as one that cities, towns and villages actually cared about. Plus a Bonus Round question that has me remembering the best moments of “Slap Shot.” Join us.

Stepping Across the Line

As we touched on yesterday, residents of destinations around the globe are beginning to push back against the mass tourism they believe is negatively impacting their Quality of Life. And I get it. I've been a destination marketer for decades...and, for the first time, found myself face to face with the ugly side of mass tourism last summer as I watched 7 cruise ships jockey for position along the Alaska Coast.

Of course, when I asked our driver why the City didn't cap the number of boats each day, she looked at me like I was crazy. "Why would we do that," she asked. Of course, I was talking to a person whose livelihood depends on more and more boats...and not a resident.

But, the anger is real...and it got very real last week.

We're becoming used to seeing graffiti and banners expressing frustration with tourists. "Your Paradise, Our Hell," "Tourists Go Home" and "Tourism = Terrorism."

But, this was a first..."Kill a Tourist" on a wall in Majorca.

OK...this is over the line. Because some nut job will think this is the will of the people. Just like a lot of nut jobs thought occupying the Capitol was a good idea.

This level of rhetoric needs to stop. Good people are addressing the issue...maybe not as fast as you want. But they are.

Just Stop.

Image Credit: The Daily Mail

Not Quite the Intended Result

As cities across Europe push back against mass tourism, some have instituted fees on non-residents with the stated intention of dissuading tourists from visiting. My friend (and past guest on DMOU) George Tzougros from the Wisconsin Arts Board (celebrating their 50th) shared a recent analysis of some of those fees and taxes with me over the weekend...and, they're not working.

Well, at least not in slowing down the number of visitors clogging their streets and attractions. According to National Geographic, the taxes (most under $10 a day) are having no discernible impact on visitation (ya think?).

What they are doing is raking in a ton of cash, ostensibly for resident quality of life mitigation.

One can only hope that's where the money goes.

Managing Expectations

I know that atmospheric conditions can change on a dime...but so should the National Weather Service. The other night, I checked the forecast for the next day, which breathlessly predicted "Abundant Sunshine." I planned my day accordingly. 

It was cloudy much of the morning, breaking through to hazy sun through the afternoon. 

There's a rule in customer service that one should aspire to under promise and over deliver. I'm not a meteorologist...but, I'd suggest sticking with "mostly" or "partly" sunny. I certainly appreciated the use of bigger words like "abundant." But, if you can't guarantee it?

Just saying...

Dave Loggins

I've always associated "Come Monday" and "Please Come to Boston" as two peas in a pod. But, until I went searching, I didn't realize that was probably because Dave Loggins' song bumped Jimmy Bufett's song out of the Top Spot on the charts in the summer of '74. So the two songs were like one long song for that summer of my life.

We lost Jimmy last summer. We lost Dave last month.

On this Music Friday, we look back on both artists with two of their biggest hits.

Jimmy's "Come Monday"...and Dave's "Please Come to Boston."

Like I said...it's one long song of longing.

Politics

Not that those politicians that seek to limit choice, equity and recognition of history give a shit...but new research from Longwoods International indicates that just over a quarter of Americans make their travel decisions based, at least in part, on the political reputation of a destination. Thus, politics puts a quarter of the inbound visitor revenue required to power an economy at risk.

In a world where most voters are most concerned with the economy and their ability to survive, it is indeed fascinating that so many politicians are more interested in playing party philosophy than what voters actually want. And yet, people still vote for them.

If the electorate voted their true interests, none of these clowns would remain in office. But, they are smug in their realization that we don't vote our true interests. We vote with our tribe. And we are typically worse off for it.