Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Next on DMOU > Travel Accessibility for DMOs

On this edition of DMOU, we settle in with John Sage of Sage Inclusion. We met John at the Destinations International Annual Convention and were fascinated by his take on what destinations and DMOs get right (and wrong) about travelers with disabilities, a market cohort that is only growing with an aging population. In our conversation, John demystifies ways that DMOs can play a pivotal role in making their destinations more accessible. Join us.

What Some of Us Would Like to Say

2024 will go down as the year of the grand resident push-back on mass tourism across the globe, most evident in Europe. Those of us in Destination Marketing and Leadership are well aware of what causes residents to protest levels of visitation that are simply unsustainable.

However, most of us are reticent to say what we believe. Except for Doug Lanskey.

If you laugh, it's because you know it's true.

Lunch is Not Enough

Had a great conversation the other day with Adam Stoker on his Destination Marketing Podcast in which we went deep into the malaise we both are sensing in some of the Destination Marketing and Leadership Boards with which we work. While there are a number of reasons behind this de-evolution, I've always maintained that what we do has gotten so sophisticated (and the expectations of DMOs so expansive) that virtually no one knows what we do.

For DMO Board members, that's unacceptable. And, on Adam's Podcast, I threw down the gauntlet and said the primary reason that today's Boards aren't as effective as they were a decade ago is due to lousy orientation programs. We can't expect our Boards to understand that their job is not to help design the marketing plan if they don't understand what we do. And an "orientation" conversation over lunch just doesn't cut it.

Thanks Adam...for the opportunity to get that off my chest. And, to announce that registration for the 3rd Annual Board Leadership for Destinations Symposium is now open. Hope to see some of you in Orlando!

Next Up on DMOU > TourismIQ

On the newest edition of DMOU, we check in with Adam Stoker, author of Touchpoints and progenitor of the Destination Marketing Podcast Network to get under the hood of a new free online town square for Destination Leaders. It’s called TourismIQ…and Adam walks us through its genesis, its current build out and what users can expect in the near future. Join Us.

How You Like Me Now

Thanks in part to a horrible piece of legislation that ultimately puts the distribution of local room tax revenues into the hands of Wisconsin mayors, a number of small communities are electing to pull out of regional destination marketing organizations. Many of them say they are being overshadowed by the magnet city in their region… but there's a reason for that. Typically the largest city has the most assets, better transportation infrastructure and larger name recognition. Suburbs and rural communities that are in orbit around the largest city benefit from that halo. Every Single Day.

And, the magnet city benefits from the surrounding communities. Every Single Day.

But of course, small town ego won't allow for rationality.

Over the past few months, the city of Weston has been threatening to pull out of their contract with the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB. They said they didn’t believe they were getting enough ROI and could probably do a better job on their own with their $108,000 investment (snort). But, about a week ago, they decided to extend their contract one more year.

Could it have anything to do with the fact that the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB just landed the 2026 and 2029 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships? The ones that will be held in Weston?

Yeah, how you like me now?

Next on DMOU: Wisconsin's Anne Sayers

As we celebrate out 150th episode of the DMOU Podcast, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series (and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft) far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.

Welcome to Chicago

The eyes of the nation will be on Chicago next week as it hosts the Democratic National Convention; a convention just as historic as the one the Windy City hosted in 1968.

In a sensational piece in the Chicago Sun-Times today, Neil Steinberg asks the question: how will the City of Big Shoulders be viewed at the end of next week? Some believe it will be an opportunity for Chicago to shrug off all the shade being thrown its way for being a dangerous place. Others believe it to be a lose-lose proposition because people who are predisposed to believe Chicago is dangerous won't care if it looks spectacular...they'll hold on to those beliefs.

My favorite quote in the piece, though, comes from political publicist Thom Serafin, who says people in Chicago tend to look at the cost but not the benefit of big events.

“Like NASCAR,” he said. “The revenue numbers did not substantiate all the effort. The profit is in people watching all over the world. Watching that skyline, thinking, ‘I’m going to go there next year. I want to be there. It’s a beautiful city. The setting is so beautiful.’”

And, that is why we host big events. Detroit absolutely changed its narrative it with the NFL Draft.

Here's hoping Chicago can do the same next week.

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.