Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

New on DMOU: Getting LGBTQ+ Right

Just up in the DMOU vault is an insightful conversation with our friends Billy Kolber and Kenny Porpora of HospitableMe into the world of LGBTQ+ travel. From ensuring that your community is ready...to hitting all the notes perfectly in your messaging, this podcast is for any DMO pro that recognizes the opportunity to welcome a vibrant and growing market to your community.

You'll also hear about their new Master Class...and score a DMOU / DMOproz discount code, just for listening. And, yeah...their Bonus Round questions are pretty fun, too.

Join us.

Air Law 22

It's been almost 5 years since we revisited our Air Laws series (if you want to relive the first 21 Laws, click HERE and move forward through the rerun).

For the uninitiated, Air Laws was our (tongue firmly in cheek) attempt to bring back civility to air travel. And events of this past weekend have encouraged us to jump back into the fray and issue our next edict. Our friend, Berkeley Young, picks up the story:

"Two women running (and I mean running) through the airport. They are lugging massive Gucci and Louis Vouitton shopping bags. They stop just shy of the gate area and unfold walking canes! And then, they hobble up to the gate and tell the agent they need to board early because they are in need of assistance (code for “we need to fill the overhead bins with our massive shipping bags”). And, they each brought on four huge bags."

 

Our friend Amir Eylon authored the following Air Law (with our extreme gratitude):

Air Law 22: Any passengers caught faking challenges or disabilities in order to score pre-board status will have their bags checked to the carousel and be re-seated next to the lavatory with the broken door that does not latch properly, thus airing that special aroma in their general direction for the duration of the (hopefully) multi-hour flight.

Yep...as we get back to traveling and are forced to endure narcissists and clueless rookies, it's time to revive Air Laws.

The Plight of Urban Destinations

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.

Prime Visibility

On an episode of the DMOU podcast, Visit Nashville's Butch Spyridon quipped that he never thought he'd be a film producer. But, with last year's release of the sensational "It All Begins with a Song," he did.

I'm guessing Visit St. Pete/Clearwater's Steve Hayes could say the same thing after "Life's Rewards" premiered on Amazon Prime last week. A story of a guy who loses everything (except his billions of hotel points), the series is shot on location at the Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach (TripAdvisor's 2001 Best American Beach).

The first DMO-produced TV series designed to stream on a major platform, "Life's Rewards" is a joint project by Visit St. Pete Clearwater, the St. Pete Clearwater Film Commission and Visit Florida and stars Sebastian Rocha. You can check out the trailer here.

Gotta love it!

Come Work..and Vaca Here

Or is it the other way around?

Discover Puerto Rico has launched a campaign to encourage people to work (very) remotely from the sensationally colorful island this summer. And honestly, for those of us that can work remotely, why not do it in paradise?

Terri and I have often dreamed of such a life...but the sheer joy of a grand daughter within 5 minutes cuts those conversations short every time. But a two week sabbatical? Oh, hell yeah.

Discover Puerto Rico is offering remote workers a "desk makeover" as part of its Deskover Puerto Rico program. Six two-week workations to the Island will be awarded and, to enter, all applicants need to do is visit www.discoverpuertorico.com/deskover and share what they would accomplish if they had two weeks to work in full color from paradise. 

Write a book? Launch a new business? Change your life?

I did just that one day, alone on a beach where I had nothing to do but think as I watched an undulating surf, unencumbered by life's demands. And, my life has been richer beyond my wildest expectations ever since from the decisions I made that day.

Enter.

Taking a Stand

Back in the '90s, a movement began that is de rigueur today in hotels around the world...that if you don't need your towels washed every day, you'd help save the environment. I remember making that then novel suggestion in my DMO's member newsletter and having an innkeeper tell me, "ohh puleeeze." In the end, she was wrong and I was right, as it caught on as both the right thing to do and a cost savings for hotels.

As we emerge into a post-Trumpian world where climate change is once again a valued concern, is this our moment to take a stand?

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association, the agency which promotes tourism on all 363 miles of the Oregon coast, joined tourism agencies around the globe this month when it declared a “climate emergency.”

The DMO says that its goal is to provide a “blueprint” for how the hospitality sector can reduce their carbon footprints. Recommendations will be completely voluntary...but that it's a necessary first step in environmental sustainability. It's also a sensational reaffirmation of the Coast's brand identity.

The movement has begun. Shall we join in?

Making a Bad Situation Worse

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.

Visit, Vaccinate & Vacation

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?”

A Deal That's Hard to Refuse

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. 

Fright Sight

There's a debate going on in Gulf Shores on whether Alvin's Island Surf Shop should be allowed to hang a replica of "Bruce" (the shark from Jaws) outside their recently renovated retail operation. In an effort to upgrade the aesthetics of the beach destination, new design and zoning guidance has attempted to reduce kitsch...but some believe that is robbing the destination of its uniqueness by encouraging new development that looks like every other destination.

Across the street is one of those selfie-rich storefronts (pictured) that is also iconic to the Gulf Shores experience; the entrance to Souvenir City. Visitors flock to this store to take the obligatory picture in the jaws of a shark. So the rational for denying a shark across the street is a head-scratcher for a fan (as I am) of Gulf Shores. But, some city officials believe the proposed installation will scare children and adults.

Except, let's consider this. I've known people that are terrified (to point of actually peeing their pants) of clowns. One of my daughters was petrified on Santa's lap until she was 5. Other kids lose their freaking minds when they come face to face with an adult-sized Easter Bunny. And, what about Halloween...the ultimate Fright Night?

I don't see anyone trying to shut these experiences down.

Just sayin.'