Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Travel Jobs Matter

It's National Travel & Tourism Week in America...and permit me one more shout out to the industry that has provided me such a rich career over the past 30 years.

One of the aspects of the hospitality industry that has always irked me is how those jobs are so frequently dismissed as somehow "not worthy." During the referendum campaign to build Madison's Convention Center, a City Council member used to rail on how this was the "wrong" kind of economic development for the City to be pursuing. That it was "low-pay, no-benefit."

While I countered that every job should be valued (as it should), I wish I would have had the data recently released from the US Travel Association that underscores the power of jobs in the hospitality sector.

Travel industry jobs lead to higher wages and financial success, more so than jobs in manufacturing and health care. Those of us that score our first job in hospitality go on to earn more than those who start in most other fields, as we learn skills, confidence and experience that are essential to successful careers in a broad spectrum of occupations. And, a third of Americans re-entering the workforce (see yesterday's post) do so through a job in the travel industry. And, honestly, who would you rather hire?

And, while not included in the research, let's be honest. Hospitality workers create a backdrop upon which we all create some of our most precious memories. And, isn't that the most important aspect of a job...having a meaningful impact on those you serve?

It's all about quality of life. Smile warmly and thank a hospitality worker for improving yours this week.

And, every day.

 

Travel Matters

It's National Travel & Tourism Week in America, a time during which we celebrate the power of the Travel Economy.

If you're not directly in the travel or hospitality sector (for we are all connected indirectly), take a moment to consider how your quality of life might decline if not for the non-resident taxes generated by visitors, the restaurants, nightspots and attractions you enjoy and your friends that enjoy a regular paycheck thanks to the hospitality and travel industry. And then, take a moment to consider the importance of your community's Destination Marketing Organization.

Travel Matters for all of us. Still a non-believer? Check out this video from the US Travel Association.

And, join us this week as we recognize the people who make it all happen.

Jake Jacks It

Those of us old enough to remember the old EF Hutton commercials ("When EF Hutton speaks, people listen"), know that there are just those individuals that seem to cut through the bullshit or the conventional wisdom to inspire change and innovation. I am honored and humbled to be asked to speak at Destination Marketing conferences around the world (thanks again to the Mississippi Travel Association's warm welcome yesterday)...so, I guess I'm one of those voices.

But, who do I listen to? The list is long and diverse. But, one of my favorites is Jake Steinman, founder of the eTourism Summit. One of my favorite Jake-isms (and I'm probably getting this slightly wrong) is that Travel is a Toy Store for adults. So true.

Jake was featured in the Travel Verticle today. 

Yeah...like he said.

Rock on, Jake.

Delta's Bold Experiment

Over a decade ago, we began issuing "Air Laws" (not unlike Miller Beer's "Man Law" series of commercials) in a (vain) attempt to bring civility back to air travel. The very first Air Law addressed the habit of some self-absorbed passengers to recline their seat without considering the person behind them.

Now, we've all seen the heated "Tastes Great / Less Filing" debates ("I paid for the right to recline," some sputter indignantly) both in print and in person. And, I'm not here to debate it again. But, Delta Airlines has just announced that it will be converting roughly 10% of its fleet to feature seats with half the recline. The reason for the test: "Ensuring an optimal experience." I feel oddly vindicated.

This should be interesting...

Belizesure

While one might be tempted to criticize the latest marketing move by the Belize Tourism Board as too micro-focused, the reality is simply the opposite. More than 4 out of 5 of us have "bleisured" in the past year (that's combining business and leisure). So, what the BTB has done is pretty brilliant.

The newest promotion is a giveaway of a 5-night stay in an overwater beach bungalow on Tobacco Caye, complete with a standup desk and "pretty OK Wi-Fi." The video says it all. And, even if one doesn't register to claim the trip, the vibe of the beach side of this sensational destination comes through loud and clear.

Well played, my friends. Well played.

The Invisible Burden

In our work with up-and-coming destinations, we often attempt to encourage an awareness of the potential of "over-tourism." Being on the DMO Board for an ascendant destination, most in the room scoff at the notion. There's lots of time to think about that, they say.

Not really. Success in destination market carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. There is an "invisible burden," according to a new report commissioned by The Travel Foundation. And, we're seeing it take root even in communities that aren't bursting at the seams with hoards of tourists.

Consider the growing number of communities in which the City is now refusing to pay for festival and event security. Or, the impact that Airbnb rentals are having in urban neighborhoods that don't have enough parking spaces for residents, let alone overnight guests.

The Visitor economy is vital to quality of life, economic development and long-term sustainability. But...we cannot ignore the "invisible burden."

The study is worth your read.

The Shortsightedness of an Anti-DMO Bias

As we noted last Thursday, members of the Florida House of Representatives (and now, some Senators) are looking to throttle or eliminate Visit Florida, that State's Destination Marketing Organization. I guess it's a case of "if first you don't succeed," but one would think they would have gotten the message after two failed attempts to derail destination marketing in the Sunshine State. It's almost like a bad April Fool's Day joke.

Those that continue down this path have clearly not understood (for, I am sure they have at least seen it) the "Halo Effect" research from Longwood's International. There is a direct correlation between destination marketing and future residency and corporate investment. And, no one knows this better than Kenneth Strickland, director of research and air service development for Tampa International Airport.

In a great article on why people are moving to Florida, Strickland connects the dots between international investment and a visit. In a Tampa Bay Times survey, 83% of resident respondents report they were not born in Florida. They visited. They liked. They moved. They now pay taxes...to the very State in which a number of Legislators are now attempting to disrupt that pipeline. 

Maybe that's the way those that want to see Visit Florida survive should pitch it. Cut off Destination Marketing and you cut off the supply of people who visit, which cuts off the number of potential residents (future voters) who would be clueless enough to vote for you next time around.

Nah...they're not listening to anybody anymore.

Florida's Silly Season Returns

They hafta be joking, I thought when the news began to trickle out of the Sunshine State that its House of Representative was once again targeting Visit Florida for elimination. I mean, Lord Voldemort and many of his White Walkers (I know I’m mixing my blockbusters...but hang with me, here) are no longer members of the Florida House. So, WTF? Their young Republican spawn are taking up the mantle? 

The strange aspect is that members of this year's movement aren't pointing to secret endorsement contracts or DMOs that refuse to turn over staff salary information. They're just done with the agency, apparently. No reason is given for wanting to eliminate their State Tourism Office on October 1. They just want to. Because they think they can.

And, members of the Senate (which have served as the only adults in the room over the past few years) are starting to wiggle. Their counter proposal is to retain Visit Florida, but with a budget cut of about a third. Oh...and then there is the requirement that Visit Florida be barred from promoting any destination that has banned some types of sunscreen. Like the Keys.

No...I'm not kidding. One of the Senators behind the measure actually said, "I don’t want that brand to be changed from the Sunshine State to the melanoma capital of the world. If we’re going to give skin cancer to people they’re not going to come down."

It really is time for people that benefit from visitor spending (and, that would be...ummm, everybody) to start paying attention to who they vote for.

Really.

Winners and Losers

That's what the news is all about anymore. Who wins? Who loses?

And, the Mexican government's decision to disband its Destination Marketing program? The loser is Mexico.

Who wins? Puerto Rico...as I explained to Skift's Hannah Sampson.

Nomadness

One of the most compelling keynotes I've witnessed at Destination International's Annual Conference was Evita Robinson, the founder of Nomadness, an online community for adventurous travelers of color. Today, more than 22,000 members (whose journeys bring in an estimated $50 million to the travel industry annually) are part of the club that carries with it an entrance requirement.

You have to have at least one passport stamp.

This is a great interview, worth your read, from Conde Nast Traveller.