| |
How
will the Hospitality Industry Respond?
The
18 December 2006 edition of the Zeitgeist Z-news:
OK...this
blog thing that I launched in our
last Z-News post has been a ton of fun...but it has produced
an unintended result. I’ve been so busy blogging that I’ve
fallen short of the mark on connecting with you, my Z-news subscribers.
And, as there are currently way more of you than there are those reading
the blog, you have my apologies.
But, as I am respectful of your e-mail box (and our pledge to fill it
only every three weeks or so), the blog has become a more regular outlet.
Daily posts are the norm, unless I am buried with client work/travel.
And, the blog is not as focused on Destination Marketing, providing
me an outlet for whatever is in my head at the moment.
So, here’s the current strategy. As my blog posts are generally
short, I’ll be pulling ideas and concepts from the blog and expanding
upon key items and issues here in the Z-News. Of course, we’d
like you to subscribe to both. But, if you’re just not ready to
enter the blogosphere, you’ll still be able to get a “best
of” right here.
One
of my recent posts concerned the potential Presidential
candidacy of a man that, in his last few months as Governor of Massachusetts,
vetoed over $25 million in proposed tourism promotion funding.
I know that I should probably hold this thought til after the holidays...but
I think those of us in the Destination Marketing industry need to begin
considering the bigger picture when it comes to how we choose our leaders.
 Because,
as Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney mulls a bid for the Presidency,
he must have deduced that the hospitality industry in his State doesn't
represent a meaningful block of voters. How else to explain those vetos?
Sadly, he's probably correct in his assessment. Tourism workers are
not traditionally very visible in the political arena. They are not
known for voting in a block, as unions are. And yet, in Massachusetts,
hospitality workers make up over 125,000 votes...more than enough to
significantly impact an election.
Of course, he didn't run for re-election this year...so it's a moot
point. But, will it be a moot point for the hospitality industries in
Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina...the first three states he'll
need in the upcoming presidential primary season? Will they review his
track record as they make their decisions?
It sure would be interesting if the hospitality and Destination Marketing
industries in those states stood up for a change and challenged Romney.
Asked him, point-blank, why he thinks so little of tourism as an economic
development strategy. And what his position would be on investing in
a national tourism promotion program.
Of course, it’s not just Mr. Romney. Hillary, John, Barack and
all the rest don’t respect tourism as an industry that will both
power the economy as well as help our withering national brand abroad.
Rudy might...but we’ll have to watch him closely.
It’s time for the Destination Marketing industry to stop whining
and start demanding the respect and support we deserve.
I know. Pretty strident for the week before Christmas. But I just had
to get this off my chest.
Think about this subject over the holiday break. How can we mobilize
the hospitality industry (locally and nationally) to stand up and be
heard?
It’s our fault that nobody respects us. And that needs to change.
Have a great holiday...and check into our
blog for more regular updates.
Bill
Wanna
comment on this or other topics. E-mail
Me!
Bil
|
|
