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Telling
the Truth to Save Your Destination
The
6 December 2005 edition of the Zeitgeist Z-newsletter
My
friend Peter
Tarlow recently posted his latest in a long series of fascinating
takes on the state of tourism and security. In his “Tourism
Tidbits” e-newsletter, the top name in tourism and security
in North America has dealt with virtually every side of this great industry.
As I eagerly opened his December missive, I was shocked to see that
his new poster child for tourism security was (are you ready?)...Aruba.
Yes, the very same island paradise that is, at least currently, seen
by many as the number one destination where your daughter is NOT spending
her High School graduation celebration (as if encouraging your underage
child to soak up alcohol on a foreign shore was a good idea in the first
place).
Interestingly, Peter points out that Aruba actually has an aggressive
tourism security plan in place. Called the Aruba
Hospitality & Security Foundation's (AH&SF) "Visibility
Team,” the private sector plays an important part
in funding and guiding an initiative that helps to fund Aruban security
guards with radios, transportation needs, utilities and office supplies.
In fact, one of the AH&SF’s guiding mantras is that Aruba
works “under the assumption that tourists appreciate tourism
police and security professionals and that the better the security the
higher the tourism industry's profits.”
According to Peter, the Aruban tourism security plan has 5 major steps,
including the private sector commitment to working with and providing
funding to the local police department and the full commitment of
the chief of police.
The one thing missing in this security plan is the chief’s commitment
to full disclosure.
What we’ve learned from the disappearance of Natalee
Halloway is that the court of public opinion no longer
gives anyone the benefit of the doubt. Dodge a thorny issue for even
a day...and you’re staring at months of skepticism from a media
that is all too willing to share that disbelief with consumers. Play
fast and loose for months and you’re looking at years of damage
control.
When will public officials realize that being up front on issues beats
the hide and go seek m.o. that so many of them crouch behind? Probably
not before we make it clear that they are playing with political
fire every time they stretch the truth or offer up a little white lie.
So, with all due respect for the work that has been done by the AH&SF
and all other groups developing tourism security plans, I offer the
following addendum for their consideration and rapid adoption:
Tell the truth. If it looks bad for a public official
(or his offspring), understand that hiding behind official deniability
will cost waaaay more than that person’s temporary image. And,
if you really don’t know, say so.
The truth can set you free...and your destination from years of suspicion.
Bill
Wanna comment on this or other topics. E-mail
Me!
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