Guest Host: Esra Calvert
Airdate: 04/04/01
Zartico’s Esra Calvert dives deep into the world of data, challenging Destination Marketing Organizations to up-their-game in a post-vaccine environment that will require the gathering of critical intelligence for organizations to make smart, strategic moves. Calvert sees a flood of money coming into the market by DMOs, attractions, and others, and how a DMO responds will be entirely dependent upon the quality of intelligence accrued, its messaging and execution. SMG Consulting CEO, Carl Ribaudo, brings listeners up-to-speed on what the Insights Collective has learned in Q1 of 2021. It’s very likely urban areas could see a longer recovery period, but Dave Bratton of Destination Analysts is optimistic and shares what they’ve learned in the latest findings of traveler sentiments. DMOs will need to look more inward to their communities, and Simpleview’s Ryan George has several observations on how destinations can truly compete and break out of the pack. Roy Van Doorn, Charlottesville Chapter president for the Virginia Restaurant & Lodging Association, ticks off five accomplishments the industry achieved during the 2021 Virginia General Assembly’s regular session.
Kurt Burkhart pays tribute to the accomplishments and service for outgoing Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, Randy Fiveash, and Beth Carden, Executive Director of the Henderson County (NC) Tourism Development Authority. He salutes Governor Tony Evers for providing $50 million of funding for Wisconsin tourism. Kurt shares the one area where Democrats, Republicans and Independents all agree. And, he reveals Reader’s Digests 17 Great Spring Getaways That Don’t Require Air Travel.