Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

This is How it's Done

Last week, Visit Savannah CEO Joe Marinelli joined us on the DMOU podcast to discuss, among other topics, their highly successful "Savannah Safe" Pledge, one of the first COVID-era responsibility promise programs in the nation. And, he shared that his Team was planning to refresh the campaign for St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break and Mother's Day.

Yesterday, we sadly reported how Spring Break went so wrong in Miami Beach over the weekend. But so far, that seems to be a fairly isolated occurence.

This Spring, over on the Gulf Coast, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (like all beach and resort destinations) faced a dilemma. Up until now, it had been difficult for communities to pin previous viral spikes on the DMO. Those occurred because people ignored exhortations to avoid Thanksgiving and the Winter Holidays. But, Spring Break? In destinations that have grown weary of bad behavior in their communities, associated with Spring Break revelers, DMOs often get the stink-eye as being at least somewhat responsible.

Beyond all that, educating today's visitors to the expectations of a community is becoming more and more important for DMOs. To do that, Steve Hayes and his crew at Visit St. Pete-Clearwater created the "Rise to Shine" program, sweetened by a sweepstakes: "When you travel in St. Pete/Clearwater, we ask that you do so responsibly. Sign the Rise to Shine Pledge to mask up, spread out and wash hands - and be entered for a chance to win the Ultimate Beach Getaway, including airfare, beachfront accommodations and a private beach cabana!"

To date, over 25,500 have taken the Pledge. And, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater isn't done there, as staff is roaming the destination passing out $25 gift cards when they see Spring Breakers following protocols.

Very very smart.

Not a Good Look

This is what happens when there are mixed messages in the face of a national health crisis.

Don't get me wrong, Florida's decision to eschew CDC guidance hasn't made them the biggest super-spreader State. It also hasn't won them any awards for keeping residents from dying. But, shouldn't have someone seen this coming? Next to Mardi Gras and Sturgis, how many other events come to mind that scream "do whatever the hell you want" than Spring Break?

And, that's just what has been happening in Miami Beach as tens of thousands of revelers threw caution (and respect for the host city) out the window this past weekend. Over 1,000 arrested (over half from out of State). A restaurant destroyed. Fights, shootings and stampedes in the street. I mean, the Police called out SWAT teams and a curfew has been set for 8pm...possibly into mid-April. And, officials say these offending visitors aren't college students...they're adults.

And, though a subtle mention in news stories, the media deftly pointed out the city's DMO just spent $5 million on its biggest advertising campaign in two decades. Watch...they'll get the blame when I seriously doubt the people causing the trouble saw a single ad.

Death to Zoom Happy Hours?

It was a year ago that Zoom Happy Hours had their genesis...and we craved those early times to share our shifting realities and raise a glass with friends and associates in a hope that it would all go away by Easter.

Remember how much we looked forward to those meet-ups?

Today...sigh. Another one? Really? Many of us would rather sort our socks.

To be sure, there aren't nearly as many Zoom Happy Hours as last Spring, when we so needed the camaraderie and support. But, they still happen and a lot of people are done, according to this study from Australia.

It's one thing for friends to Zoom voluntarily...but required Happy Hours to build team culture appear to be over.

Something to consider...

Teach 'em Some Respect

As we look hopefully to the return of travel around the world, it behooves us all to reconsider how that will look when cabin-fevered consumers collectively feel they've been given a green light. For those that have received their second shot...that time is sooner than later. For every such person we've talked to...indeed, it is now.

To avoid returning to "over-tourism" complaints by residents in some communities, many Destination Marketers are shifting where and how they plan to re-enter the marketplace to attract a more discerning consumer. In British Columbia, a number of DMOs are working with the Sea to Sky Corridor Destination Development Council to educate inbound visitors to "the concepts of respect, proper outdoor conduct, preparedness, environmental awareness and responsible social media use." In other words, encouraging visitors to stop acting like they were raised by feral pigs when they're in-market.

Pique published a great piece on the initiative that is worth your read. And, here's hoping it inspires others to take steps, while we still can, to mitigate the crowds we know will return.

Are We Ready for the Return?

Over the weekend, I found myself reflecting on one of the better webinars I've seen this year. Part of Connect Travel's "See Tomorrow" series, last week's episode focused on resident sentiment with Colorado's Cathy Ritter, Park City's Jennifer Wesselhoff, Hawaii's Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā and Longwoods International's Amir Eylon, moderated by TripAdvisor's Steve Paganelli. If you didn't catch it live...make time to catch up with the recording in the next week or so.

Why sooner than later? If the pace of vaccinations continues on its forward trajectory and the fourth spike sputters, Destination Marketing Organizations will be returning to the marketplace with invitations for consumers to visit. The "when you're ready" message will increasingly be replaced by "we're ready for you." But, is your community really ready?

As Amir reminded viewers, 4 out of 10 residents remain wary of their community unfurling the welcome mat...and that's too close to 50-50 for me.

Despite the pressure to get back into the game, the question must be asked, will residents be happy to see visitors again? And, have they come to enjoy the relative quiet of the past year in many of our communities?

A lot of residents of Big Sur are kinda diggin' that Highway One collapsed, cutting off outside access to the community. In a recent story, one resident said she is "celebrating the tranquility."

How many of your residents feel the same way?

 

10,000

When we relaunched DMOU (Destination Marketing Organization University) as a podcast in the Summer of 2019, I'm not sure we had a goal in mind...other than to share compelling stories from people in and around the Destination Marketing space. It's what we love to do; shining a light on people who are making a difference.

But, waking up this morning to the fact that, overnight, DMOU passed the 10,000 download mark? That's cause for humble celebration.

Thanks to the over 50 guests over the past year and a half that have taken time out of often brutal schedules to share their truths. You inspire us...and we're thrilled to give your voices wings. And, to those that have powered the downloads, thanks for valuing what we've created.

And, if you've yet to listen, the entire library of conversations is available here, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other audio platforms...including our latest episode with Visit Alexandria's Patricia Washington.

Here's to 20,000!

DMOs to the Rescue

Back in the '70s, there was a band called Black Oak Arkansas that experienced a meteoric arc with a handful of Southern-rock hits, most notably "Jim Dandy to the Rescue."

And, isn't that what Destination Marketing Organizations have been doing for the past year? Coming to the rescue of their independent businesses and working with community assets to keep the lights on as we wait for a post-COVID world?

The song popped into my mind as I've been following the saga of the Sea Turtles off the Texas Coast. For those that have somehow missed it (it has captured international media attention), last week's record-breaking cold in Texas not only impacted residents but "cold-stunned" thousands of turtles, causing them to lose motor skills and orientation. The non-profit conservancy on South Padre Island that would normally handle this kind of crisis was overwhelmed, as over 5,000 turtles were delivered to the facility by volunteers on the beach.

Our friend Ed Caum, the Director of the South Padre Island CVB, came to the rescue by arranging for the Convention Center to serve as a warming center for the turtles...and has been chronicling the process on the CVB's Facebook page. 

While it's just what we do...Ed, you make us all proud. 

Eddie Caum to the Rescue, indeed.

Fortune Favors the Bold

As Japan debates whether it can successfully host the COVID-delayed Summer Olympics, you gotta hand it to the CFO of the State of Florida for suggesting that the Sunshine State is ready, willing and able to step in should Japan balk.

In a letter to the IOC Chairman, Jimmy Patronis has offered up Florida as an alternative site, touting its success with the NBA, UFC, NFL and College Football (indeed, a Florida Super Bowl is just around the corner). And to those that question the State's Summer heat, Patronis simply shrugs it off and says, "Whatever precautions are required, let’s figure it out and get it done."

The Olympics are 4th and Goal on the 8. You gotta love Florida's boldness.

 

The Chilling View from the Cliff

I'm sure that our political leaders believe this is all a case of Chicken Little. And sadly, they likely believe the data coming from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is being manipulated to paint a darker picture than reality warrants. Of course, that begs the question: If the AHLA isn't surveying its members, who would? 

The latest intel is scary as shit. 71% of hotels will be forced to shutter in the next 6 months without immediate assistance from local, State and Federal governments. I'm quite sure that the release of the vaccine is causing our elected officials to believe that they've dodged a bullet. Surely, impacted businesses can hold on until Spring, they likely think.

No. Every day that this industry is forced to wait is a death warrant for some of those 71%. The study shows that 71% will fail by June...but how many will close in January and February, typically the slowest occupancy months of the year in North America? 20%? 25%? 

And how many restaurants and retailers, hoping against hope that they'll score enough revenue over the Holidays will wake up on New Year's Day and say "we're out?"

If action doesn't come swiftly, I wonder how many elected officials will have challengers in the next election that have lost everything because of our government's ham-handed response to the virus, have a compelling story to tell and knowledge of what it takes to make an economy hum...and will kick their uncaring partisan asses to the curb.

While it's the last thing I want to see...we'll likely all be better off in that scenario.

Abandonment

It's a pretty powerful word: Abandoned.

But that's what millions in the hospitality industry are feeling. We've shared op ed pieces and communiques from restauranteurs on this blog that encapsulate the pain. But the message fails to motivate those that we have elected to take meaningful action.

So, we try again. This time, the missive is from Edward Lee, who has been forced to close 4 restaurants during the government's response to the pandemic.

From his piece in Bon Appetit: "Unfortunately for restaurant people, our skill set doesn’t translate well to other industries. We’re hyper-focused on one thing: hospitality. And when the industry crumbles, you have an entire population of people not equipped to do other jobs. I’ve devoted 29 years of my life to this; I can’t just go sell neckties or insurance. Yet the people in power don’t see that. They don’t see restaurant workers as a valuable sector of our society. Their attitudes are, ‘Well, they can go find other jobs.’ That’s just not the case."

So True. And, so sad that we have de-evolved into a culture where partisan politics ignores human suffering.