Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Evolving DMO Workspace

Honored to be a guest of the Travel Vertical podcast last week, discussing with Laurie Jo Miller Farr and Adam Stoker how the Destination Marketing and Leadership Organization world is evolving with new job titles and responsibilities that were generally unheard of five years ago.

As I suggested during our conversation, one of the hardest parts of the Plague was saying goodbye to DMO veterans that have since transitioned to other jobs or industries. While we miss them, it also has provided the opportunity for DMO CEOs to re-evaluate their Org Chart and deployment of human talent.

Not a topic on which I traditionally riff, but a fun conversation all the same. Thanks, Travel Vertical!

The Return of Conference Swag

In keeping with our theme of what to Keep, Cut and Add to our program of work, we turn our attention to Sales Swag.

Now, to be sure, our firm isn't above providing gifts to past guests on DMOU...but we've always draw the line at passing out swag at trade shows and other appearances. We know what we do with the "premium items" that are often shoved into our hands and welcome bags (see image at left).

During the Plague, the amount of swag Destination Marketing Organizations bought and distributed clearly declined...because face-to-face events were few and far between. But, now that meetings and trade shows are returning...so is the swag. But, at what cost?

According to this article from Fast Company, the environmental cost of both producing and the discarding this stuff is substantial. And, then there is the cost to a Destination Marketing Organization's budget.

Is there another way to stay top-of-mind with potential customers you met? A follow-up phone call, maybe? A hand-written card?

Just a thought...

Keep, Cut and Add

In last week's edition of the Z-News (you can subscribe here), we talked about some of the Scared Cows of Destination Marketing that are being eyed by some in the aftermath of the Plague. In our commentary, we cautioned that some of those tried-and-true strategies may still have some life in them.

Our friend (and former guest on DMOU), Savannah's Joe Marinelli, reached out to say they've been printing 500,000 Visitors Guides each year for over a decade and go through virtually every one by year's end because demand is so strong. They've just opened their fifth Visitor Center and have found great success (and foot traffic) in selling Savannah food and merchandise. And, as to the website, Joe says they'd never compete in the marketplace without one.

Are any of those sacred cows still on your extinction list?

On Destination Entry Fees

Interesting article from a decidedly European point of view regarding the recent increase in destination entry fees and taxes designed to generate revenues to counter the effects of too many visitors and deter some of the hoards that descend on communities in such numbers as to negatively impact Quality of Life.

The article does provide a counter argument that such taxes, if they do reduce visitation, can have a negative impact on local businesses that are desperately trying to claw back from the effects of the plague. But, the one aspect the article fails to address is whether such taxes will deny the life-enhancing experience of travel for those of modest means; making some tourism destinations only available to the upper class.

There's always the unintended consequence. Here's hoping these destinations can strike a balance.

Image Credit: From our friend Josh Schamberger, CEO of Think Iowa City, on a recent trade mission to Europe.

Zucchero

As we huddled around our TVs, nervous to venture out in those first few weeks of the then-unknown that was COVID, we began to see musicians creatively utilize streaming technology to entertain and assure us that there would be a better day. While it's taking a lot longer than many of us expected, I think back to a televised event in April of 2020 called "One World: Together at Home" in which Lady Gaga helped curate a fundraiser to support frontline health workers with hours of performances from artists around the world.

It's where Terri and I first experienced Zucchero. It was a moment that we looked at each other and exclaimed, "he's been out there for 50 years. How did we not know this amazing voice?" The song that enraptured us was "Everbody's Gotta Learn Sometime."

Since then, we've been diving into his amazing catalogue of work, including this sensational duet with Sting.

On this Music Friday, we share another duet...this time with Eric Clapton.

Hey Man? How did we miss you over all these years?

The Pledge

Lots of destinations have moved to pledges to engage visitors (and residents) to respect the culture and environment of their special place.

This one touched my heart.

Door County is where I spent a few weeks every summer from the age of 7 to 34 (when parenthood broke the streak). It's where I learned about nature, great books, the joy of a summer rain and the coolness of small towns (and goats on the roof).

Door County is a magical place. I often tell clients that I wish they could be seen as Door is. When someone says they are going to Door County for the weekend, the inevitable response is, "Really? Where?"

Because every town is so different. Tell me your town and I know who you are. If you say Bailey's Harbor...I'll know we're gonna party all night. If you say Ellison Bay...we're just gonna chill.

We haven't been back for too long. COVID was a part of that, to be sure. But the congestion and lack of respect by new visitors was part of it, too.

Congratulations to Destinations Door County for reminding us all to take care to preserve this sensational place.

And...we'll be back soon.

The Dilemma of Housekeeping

As we all struggle to rebound from the carnage of the 'VID, travel has changed in ways that many consumers can't begin to understand unless they work in the industry.

While there was a heightened fear of having housekeepers in hotel rooms during the height of the pandemic (for all of us), hotels cut back on housekeeping...which, of course, slashed hours for hundreds of thousands of housekeepers. And, while fears of infection are lessening, most hotels are keeping with the "on demand" housekeeping strategy...which continues to sideline housekeepers as other hospitality jobs return.

The housekeepers that are back, however, are now facing rooms that take significantly longer to clean because, as one said in this article from Travel Weekly, "it's scum on scum." And, the way revenge tourists are now trashing rooms makes the job even harder for the individuals that have some of the hardest and most disgusting jobs in the sector.

All the more reason to add another buck or two to your standard housekeeper tip when when you check-out.

N'est-ce pas?

Dirty Honey

It's that restless moment in every Spring where I just want it loud and krunky...before we slide into shag, beach and Buffett  music around Memorial Day.

If there was an up and coming band that was momentarily derailed by the plague, it was Dirty Honey...the first band to have a Number One song in the States and not be signed to a major label. And then, everything stopped.

They're back on the road in Memphis tonight and Atlanta on Sunday...then off for a Summer of shows in Europe.

On this Music Friday, this is "When I'm Gone."

Crank it up!

The Yin and Yang of Vacancy

As we travel this continent, it is sadly rare when we come upon a fully occupied downtown. More often, we are confronted with vacant storefronts, laced with graffiti covered plywood protecting empty windows; a cancerous look that implies danger. And, that hurts a community in more ways than just forfeited business opportunity.

While some vacancies are the result of the economy, the Mayor of Vancouver is advancing a concept to address a specific part of the problem: taxing speculators who buy and hold property, sometimes for decades, preventing a community from putting its best face forward. Your town may well suffer from one or more of these property owners.

On one side of the coin, it's their property and they should be able to do with it what they want. On the other, their actions (or inaction) is dragging down the neighborhood around it. It's kind of like the anti-vaxers. Yeah, you have the right to say no...but do you have the right to infect others?

To be sure, taxing speculators as a means to force them to actively lease their space has some inherent flaws (most of all that those that have squatted on buildings for decades have the means to do so...and an additional tax won't dissuade them). But, it should be interesting to watch this play out...if for no other reason than to figure out what will work to put these properties in our communities back in play.

Image Credit: Robert Merkel

Not Taking Chances

Niue is a stunningly beautiful island nation in the South Pacific, known for its limestone cliffs and coral-reef dive sites. It has some of the most magnificent dark skies in the world. Migrating whales cavort in Niue's waters between July and October and the island is home to roughly 1600 inhabitants. Since the world stopped in the Spring of 2020, just 7 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded (and no deaths).

I get that it's easier to stop the transmission of a virus on an island than a continent...but Niue proudly promotes that there are no active cases, even though international travel is allowed. 99.4% of residents are vaccinated. And here's the new plan: Visitors in May and June must isolate for 7 days and then restrict movement for 3...with a gradual loosening of restrictions to a planned return to normalcy on October 10th.

And a federal court (not a scientist or medical expert) just opened America's airways to no masks...just because they could.

Say what you will...but I respect Niue's stance. And, it certainly has been effective in protecting its people (though likely harming its economy).

Of course, isolating for a week on a hammock on a beach before spending another week exploring the island isn't the worst thing I could imagine. Hell, you're never whole for the first few days because of jet lag (if you're flying from North America). And, why would you want to race back home anyway? Stay a few weeks an unwind like you should.

Hey Niue? Come October, I'm looking at you.