Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

It's in the Words

When someone with an agenda gets to write the survey questions, the results are often dubious. That's what has happened in Durango for the past couple years as the County has surveyed residents on their opinions regarding the investment of Room Tax revenue. And, as expected, the vast majority 0f respondents agree that at least some o0f those revenues should go somewhere else.

According to the Durango Herald: The survey question informed respondents that the lodgers tax revenues are used “for advertising and marketing for tourism,” and asked whether they would support “shifting more funds … to other purposes related to the impacts of tourism, such as housing and childcare for the tourism-related workforce, including seasonal workers, and for other workers in the community, with less funding for tourism marketing.”

But, as Visit Durango's Rachel Brown counters, the set-up for the question is all wrong. As we featured on our conversation with her on DMOU, Visit Durango's program of work is far more than "advertising and marketing," easy marks for any community dealing with concerns about congestion. Indeed, Visit Durango's work in sustainability and stewardship is among the best in the country.

But, somebody with an agenda wrote a survey question that makes the DMO look out of touch. Here's to the Herald for attempting to balance the conversation.

Jeff Speck

When I entered the Destination Marketing space over 30 years ago, I thought it was just a job. Within months, it became a passion. And, that passion caused me to ask a lot of questions. 

"Why" has always been at the root of my zeitgeist. Why are we doing it that way? Why does that matter? Why not try something different? Which is how thought leadership evolves. Asking why.

Jeff Speck asks why a lot. And while I have carved my niche in Destination Leadership, he has carved his in walkability. The very essence of why communities thrive or die.

We've never met...yet our work is connected on so many parallels. And, I'm elated that he's getting some serious visibility as of late. This documentary just dropped...and it's a microcosm of Jeff's work and vision.

Wanna go deeper? His book "Walkable City" is a masterpiece for anyone dedicated to saving their downtowns and neighborhoods.

Cool stuff.

 

Jimmy

There are always haters...but of Jimmy Buffett?

Honestly? WTF?

A friend shared a TikTok video the other day of a guy going off on the Parrothead Culture because Jimmy was a white guy who appropriated island culture to satisfy his own quest for fame and greed. Needless to say, I'm not linking that video because nothing could be further from the truth and he needs no more views. Jimmy was a son of a son of a sailor and grew up on the Alabama Coast, where "Island Culture" is strong. And, he could turn a phrase like no other. And his philanthropy, while rarely on display, was considerable.

He encouraged people to kick back, enjoy what's left of our lives and love each other. To not take life too seriously, even when being shot at by Jamaicans. What is to hate about that, regardless of how much money he made?

As so many of us have locked our radios on Radio Margaritaville since the news shook us all last Saturday morning, there is one song that I have yet to hear...and it is one of my favorites, especially this time of year, as beach and resort towns begin to shut down. It's the mournful (yet uplifting) song called, "The Coast is Clear," celebrating the moment we get our destinations back.

Now, we've seen Jimmy several times at Alpine Valley with many of our dearest friends (see just one image above). And, Facebook is clearly having a moment because they are hitting us all with desperate "Memories" alerts to get us to come back...and this past week has been nothing but images of those halcyon days, as Jimmy typically played Wisconsin on and around Labor Day Weekend.

But, the moment that solidified my respect for his persona, his passion and his authenticity was when he changed the words to that song during a benefit he staged for the Gulf Coast during its Oil Disaster (let's be clear, it wasn't a "spill").

On this Music Friday, we offer the other "When the Coast is Clear."

And, oh yeah...

Thanks for the memories, James. We'll miss your reverie and bacchanal.

The Sheer Waste

As this nation shifts to hybrid and electric cars, we're buying less gas. While that is good news for the environment, that's bad news for State budgets that depend upon taxes on gasoline to pay for road work and balance their budgets.

According to this article from The Bridge, the State of Michigan is contemplating whether to switch from gas consumed to miles driven as a way to extract revenue from motorists...and they're planning to survey 20,000 Michiganders on their opinions on the matter.

For $5 million. Yes...five million dollars. To survey 20,000 people. Something that any firm with any moral and ethical code would be hard pressed to bid such a project for over $1 million. Even with the additional request to "study the potential impact of a road usage charge system."

I mean, honestly?

Hey Michigan? More than happy to bid this at $1 million...but I'm guessing then you can't use the Federal match for implementation, can you? Yeah, we get it...because we lost a Destination Master Plan bid because we left money on the table for implementation because we could not, in good faith, gin up our price to meet the grant amount available. And another consultancy did. Simply insane.

Such waste.

New on the DMOU Podcast: Cannabis Tourism

Almost half of American States have legalized the recreational use of cannabis...but many DMOs in those States struggle with ways to promote the advantage they possess against States that don't. On this episode of DMOU, we talk with Brian Applegarth, the foremost expert in the intersection of cannabis and tourism, about how to escape the stigma...and focus on the health, wellness and inclusionary aspects of this amazing community asset. A fascinating episode.

Summer Vacation Reading

As I noted yesterday, I had the privilege of sitting in on a couple CDME classes last week in Dallas. The assembled DMO pros skewed younger, as many are early in their careers, seeking education and certification.

So...I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise when less than 10% of the hands in the room went up when one of the instructors asked how many in the class had read "Rise of the Creative Class."  After all, Richard Florida's breakthrough book was released over 20 years ago. But, that it helped get DMOs to where we are today by opening up the minds of this sector's thought-leaders to consider that we are more than Destination Marketers, I wonder if we shouldn't all go back to see if there are even more nuggets that we may have missed on our first read.

And then, there are other books that may have fallen out of view that deserve a fresh look. Like "Start With Why?" from Simon Sinek (published in 2011). The original "Race for Relevance" (published in 2013), "Blue Ocean Strategy" (originally published in 2004) and the "500 Year Delta" (published in 1997).

I know I'll be going back to these classics (especially 500 Year Delta) in the weeks ahead. Join me?

New on the DMOU Podcast > Claudia Vecchio

For many DMOs, Stewardship and Sustainability are the furthest thing from their minds as they refocus on a target rich environment. But we continue to focus on this fascinating evolution from DMO to DSO because we believe it to be the future. And this week’s guest on DMOU is leading her community back from fires, pandemic and floods through an unabashed Stewardship approach. Sonoma County Tourism’s Claudia Vecchio joins us to talk about her approach to stewardship, their recent turn at SXSW and how engaging residents is key to everything they do.

And a really fun Bonus Round question.

New on the DMOU Podcast: Kara Franker

For DMOs that produce destination events, it often consumes months of staff time. Yet, Visit Estes Park turned a festival that a neighboring community was preparing to sunset into an event that garnered national media attention in just 100 days. CEO Kara Franker guests to tell the unique story of the revitalized "Frozen Dead Guy Days," an event that not only bolstered a need time on the calendar but also raised money for workforce housing and daycare initiatives. It's a stirring story of community collaboration you're not going to want to miss. You can find the conversation HERE.

And, while you're at it...check out the sensational video behind the story Kara tells on the podcast about backing a Room Tax increase to support local workforce housing and childcare.

Simply brilliant.

Missing Priorities

While the Hawaiian Legislature spent an inordinate amount of time attempting (and, ultimately failing) to end the Hawaii Tourism Authority...they absolutely whiffed on a bill that would have had a profound impact on protecting the State's delicate infrastructure. 

Despite widespread public support, a bill that would have imposed a fee for tourists to visit State Parks and trails that would have funded the maintenance and protection of parks, coral reefs, forests and wildlife such as dolphins. And yet, legislators apparently couldn't agree on details before the session concluded.

Isn't that what we elect leaders to do...represent our interests?

Re-Acquiring Resident Support

When residents begin to push back on what they perceive to be a community, neighborhood or attraction that is too crowded, they often point the finger at visitors. Whether that's true isn't the issue; local perception is.

Which is why what operators of East Maui's Twin Falls have recently done is so brilliant.

Earlier this month, they staged their first "locals-only day" and the results were pretty fascinating. According to the Maui News, heavy days at Twin Falls see between 200 and 450 cars, taxing the environment and creating parking headaches. On the day reserved for locals, only 150 cars were counted. So, check off the overcrowding box.

But, the really sensational part of the project was reacquainting island residents with one of their favorite childhood memories that they hadn't revisited in recent years because of all the tourists. As one of the employees there said, “the majority (who came) said they hadn’t come here in years and they had avoided the area because it was just overcrowded, so that was one of the comments we heard the most.”

And the island visitors who were turned away? A member of Friends of Twin Falls said, “most tourists were very understanding and ventured to the next stop on the road.” 

Gotta love it. Well played.