If you are a political partisan, you likely love or loath Frank Luntz. For those of us that are fiercely independent, he is an enigma. Once a conservative operative, his recent research into the minds of Americans is simply fascinating (as it always has been).
He recently attempted to convince a focus group of anti-Vaxers to change their minds. This segment of This American Life (jump to Act Two) is worth a listen.
Just back from a week-long road trip where the misplaced belief that we are out of the COVID woods was on full display. And, as other observers have noted, the further South one goes, the fewer masks one sees.
On a Nashville Saturday night, the streets were as clogged as I've ever seen them (see photo)...almost impossible to make one's way to the next block without stepping into the street, as there were lines to get into every bar by 9pm. And, not a mask to be seen. Those gas stations along the way that still had "Masks Required" signs on their doors were filled with those that refused.
Masked, I walked onto the deck of the hotel pool during our stay in Florida and was accosted by a fellow guest who called me a "pansy" for buying into the false narrative that COVID was more dangerous than the flu. I said that the hotel GM was a friend, and she had asked for masks in the lobby...so, I was more than happy to comply. He just snorted an expletive.
And, so...after a week in a land with no masks, I found myself back on home turf this weekend. I strolled into a local outdoor garden store to score a few plants to complete this year's herb garden. And, I was getting stares...which I immediately recognized as scorn.
Yeah...I wasn't wearing a mask. And, almost everyone else was.
Where I live is one of the most-vaccinated counties in the country...and we're still wearing masks, voluntarily. For each other.
Why is this so hard?
Not to throw shade at the head of the Hotel Association of New York City, but his recent support of Mayor Bill de Blasio's summer-long waiver of Hotel Room Taxes is perplexing, at best, and reckless, at worst.
Don't get me wrong, there are some destinations where $18 a night might influence a potential visitor to choose another city. But, honestly? This is freakin' New York City. A destination that isn't up for debate on haggling over price. It's also a City with a pandemic-induced budget hole that could use those revenues to shore up other parts of the economy or infrastructure. To forfeit an estimated $30 million of tax revenue on a feel-good gimmick that's simply not needed to jump start the hotel sector is amazingly short-sighted.
The consumer tax savings on a $300/night room is roughly $18, it's $12 on a $200/night stay and $6 on a $100/night stay. So, don't call me elitist when I say people wouldn't let $18 blur their desire. That's a drink in the hotel bar for people willing to spend $300 a night...and a hot dog for those attempting to be frugal.
If the powers at work here really want to help, don't waive the Room Tax. Use it to subsidize a portion of theatre tickets so the theaters and their crews and companies are made whole...but that tickets are more affordable to the tight-fisted (but culturally sophisticated) consumer this summer. That will capture people's attention. Broadway on Sale for one Summer only? That will cause theatre goers that might fear an unmasked city to take a chance and return. The same with admissions to sporting events and museums. And, let's find a way to help our restaurants come back.
The Mayor deserves huge props for dedicating $30 million in recovery funding for the work of NYC & Company. But, forgiving a fee that hardly anybody notices when there are so many ways to maximize this revenue? Unforgivable.
In my years as a DMO pro, I've represented both urban and rural destinations. And, my heart breaks for my partners in urban.
As we emerge from the carnage of the pandemic, urban destinations aren't. A new study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows that only 29% of Americans feel comfortable traveling to an urban destination...and 71% say they won't. So pervasive is the fear that the Plague is waiting for you in the City.
According to Longwoods International, 50% of American travelers say that destinations with safety protocols in place will positively impact their destination choice this summer!
As much as we all want to drop masks...rural destinations must resist the urge. It's clear what the majority of travel consumers want from you.
Urban destinations? It's going to be about ignoring political grandstanding about dropping masks...and projecting a safe-is-the-new-black mantra.
Sigh...because it makes absolutely no rational sense. But, it is what it is.
It's certainly not their best work...but, is this the best encapsulation of the past year? Maybe.
On this Music Friday, we give you Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl with "Easy Sleazy."
The notion of gum commercials and exhilarating creativity rarely appear in the same sentence. With this new video from Extra...that ends right here, right now.
I know, I know...we are so not out of the woods yet. But, if this video doesn't move the unvaccinated to jump onboard, nothing will.
Enjoy...and thanks to TravelAbility's Jake Steinman for the catch.
In destinations as diverse as Kankakee County and Kansas City, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) have made the decision to ditch their physical offices after experiencing a degree of success working virtually during the pandemic. Other DMO CEOs have planted their feet firmly in the "back to the office" camp to preserve staff culture and creativity.
Visit Omaha has elected to do a hybrid approach, leaving its Downtown location in favor of virtual officing...but utilizing some of the $250,000 it would have sunk into lease payments into renting meeting space at destination hotels when it needs to meet face to face. Smartly, they'll keep their sensational Visitors Center open and use it as their administrative hub.
How is your DMO evolving when it comes to the future of its Office and Visitor Center?
A Wisconsin Legislator has shepherded a bill through the Assembly that would waive state and local sales taxes on restaurants, bars, movie theaters, amusement parks and arcades during the summer months of this year. He says it is meant to spur business in some of the industries hit hardest by COVID-19. It now awaits action by the Senate.
Let's be really clear here. Almost no one makes a travel decision based on the taxes they'll pay. It's an assumed cost. Does anyone really believe that a consumer will choose Destination A over Destination B because one doesn't charge Sales Tax? And, is that really the message one would want from the State Tourism Department? "Hey...come here because we aren't charging sales tax." Really? That's all you got?
Interestingly, the State's largest tourism destination DMO is opposing the bill. And...for all the right reasons.
As Wisconsin Dells VCB CEO Romy Snyder opines, the revenue hit this will have on municipalities and counties throughout the State will be debilitating. And, isn't it refreshing to see a DMO looking out for its government's best interests?
All indications are that pent-up demand will drive a powerfully lucrative summer in Wisconsin. Why forfeit the very funds that local governments need to recover?
Baffling.
Oh wait...it's just political theatre.
As destinations go, you can’t get much more diverse than Alaska and the Maldives. But, both are banking on the same strategy to stimulate visitation: COVID-19 Vaccines.
Beginning June 1, inbound passenger to commercial airports in Alaska will be able to receive the vaccine. And, in the Maldives, the nation’s Minister for Tourism has announced a 3V strategy: Visit, Vaccinate and Vacation.
The beauty of the strategy isn’t lost on me. One would need to stay three or four weeks to get the second shot (though Alaska is planning to arrange for visitors to get their second shot at home).
Can you say “High Value Customer?”
The 'VID has taught us all that remote work in many industries is, indeed, both possible and, for many, a more desirable alternative to office politics and distractions. And, the elimination of the office commute...and all those minutes and hours we can reclaim? And then, there was just the belief that urban environments were less safe than more urban settings...and we've begun to see a significant migration to the country for those city dwellers with the means.
Even before the pandemic, some States and communities were rolling out incentives for people to move to their locales. But, our friend Amir Eylon (Longwoods International) just tipped us to this insanely lucrative offer from West Virginia.
Powered by a $25 million investment from Intuit's Brad Smith and his wife Alys, the program offers an incentive that is worth $20,000 in cash, free workspace and a year of free outdoor recreation passes and rentals for those that want to work remotely in the Mountain State.
The details are at AscendWV.com. First destination up: Morgantown.
Wow. Simply wow.
And, this ties in so perfectly with former Colorado Tourism Director Cathy Ritter's recent comments on targeting visitors that share your destination's appreciation and respect for the environment on the DMOU podcast. That episode drops later this week...and you can hear the conversation first, if you follow DMOU in the upper right hand corner of our vault site.
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