Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Motivation to Do the Right Thing

As I move from town to town in this sensational gig that permits me a view into so many corners of the Americas, it happens only once in a while.

I stop, sensing something's off. And then, I realize that the sidewalks and gutters are meticulously clean (which is a sad state of affairs when the way it should be is the exception).

I was in a community a couple weeks ago and it happened again. And, as I made my way to my early morning appointment downtown, I spied an individual with a leaf blower on the next block.

Aha, I thought to myself; that's why it's so clean. But, I looked again...and he was blowing only leaves. No cigarette butts. No wrappers or shattered pieces of styrofoam cups. So, it must be the culture of the community to take pride in the downtown.

And...one must wonder if that culture hasn't been encouraged by the penalty for discarding butts around town (click image to enlarge).

If we desire a certain response, we must actively encourage that response. And, a $2,500 fine does just that.

Well played, Fredericksburg. Well played...

The Future's So Bright...But

Juxtaposition is a bitch, y'all.

A recent Skift research project estimates an additional 500 million new international trips will be taken over the next decade.

At the same time, the demand for air travel increases the carbon footprint we leave...just as our window to limit catastrophic global warming is closing.

I don't possess the solution...just know that the issue needs to be addressed, just as we have been successful in decreasing automotive impacts to the environment.

Saying You're Sorry

I seriously don't know where most people learned (or, more appropriately, didn't learn) to drive. The times I'm almost sideswiped when a self-absorbed asshole merges into my lane on an interstate has increased tenfold. And, those drivers that juke in front of me to get into a different lane? It happens daily.

Not unlike Air Laws, there should be Road Laws. And, the Number One Road Law should be, if your move into another driver's lane causes that driver to touch their breaks, you shouldn't have made that move. Period.

Now, far be it for me to say I haven't, on occasion, been absent-mindedly guilty of this as well (it happens). And, because I feel so strongly about this "Road Law," I've wished I could say, "sorry, my bad." But, you just can't.

But, now you can. And, not through hand gestures.

A new KickStarter project called RoadWayve offers an LED message board to communicate with other drivers on the road. Sample messages include short phrases such as “I’m sorry,” “Thank you,” “Turn off high beams,” “Let me merge,” “Go around me” and more. There is also a custom message option that is safely activated via voice control in the mobile app.

They've already tripled their KickStarter goal...so the concept seems to be resonating. If you want to get in on the ground-floor, click HERE.

Disclaimer: I have no experience with the company or the product. I just think it's a way cool idea.

 

When Tourism and Residents Collide

It's like that Def Leppard song.

Both sides in their respective corners...one side acting like they want to work it out, the other saying there cannot be a solution as long as the other takes breath. So, maybe it's more like the theme song of Rocky IV.

My friend, brand-meister Duane Knapp, and I have been bouncing this conversation around for a few months: the term "Over-Tourism" needs to be stricken from our shared lexicon. It does nothing but inflame...and isn't even accurate. Communities do not suffer from too many tourists. If they suffer, it is from poor management of the visitors that, at one time, sounded like a pretty good idea.

After all, let's not forget, the residents causing the most ruckus surely benefit from non-resident taxes, lower unemployment and more cool stuff to do in their towns than if visitors didn't drop off boatloads of cash each year. And, yes...their counter-arguments are just as valid. Tourists can be self-absorbed pigs.

But, a recent story from Juneau AK exemplifies why we need to stop the name calling. Some local activists, calling themselves "Juneau Neighborhoods Affected by Tourism," called a meeting to discuss their grievances about the travel industry...without the travel industry in the room.

Organizers were beyond miffed when some industry representatives showed up to the meeting, one even asking them to vacate seats up front so that those that wanted to bitch could be seated. Astonished, representatives from cruise-lines and other hospitality businesses replied that they were only there to hear the concerns so they could attempt some form of mitigation.

But, no. Let's not enter into meaningful conversation to find a mutually beneficial solution. Let's just keep pointing fingers.

Destination Marketing Organizations have a role here...and we need to engage, pronto.

Image Credit: Der Spiegel

One Last Salute to National Tourism Week 2019

Another National Travel & Tourism Week is in the books...a week where we salute and honor the impact that the Visitor Economy (and all those that make it happen) has on our way of life.

Interestingly, last week was also International Economic Development Week. Which got me to thinking. As "Tourism is the First Date for Economic Development," shouldn't International Economic Development Week be this week? Just sayin...

A significant number of DMO pros wrote op-ed pieces for media releases and blogs that ran all last week. All pinpointed why Tourism and Destination Marketing are critical to a thriving community. One of our favorites came from John Groh (Rockford Area IL CVB). In "The Top 5 Reasons Travel Matters to Illinois...and to the Rockford Region," he clicks through many of the same points so many made last week.

What I admire most about John's missive was how he personalized the message beyond the stereotypical numbers we so often use. My two favorite lines: "Locally, more than 3,000 of our neighbors go to work every day at jobs generated by visitor spending." 

And then, this: "Travel helps families connect, creating everlasting memories and develops a lifelong bond. When surveyed, most children (61%) say the best way to spend quality time with parents is on vacation. At their core, adults know this: 62 percent of adults say that their earliest, most vivid memories are of family vacations taken between the ages of five and 10."

Drop the mic, my friend. That's how it's done. Touch their emotions...not their logic.

Bang on.

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.