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gemsofgreece · 3 months

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https://fortune.com/europe/2024/07/09/mayor-of-athens-overtourism-greece-not-viable-visitor-tourism-economy/

Nothing new but the Greek government should really invest on other aspects except from tourism. Like yes it's profitable but it can't be the only source of income alongside with agriculture.

OH MY GOD yes! Kudos to Haris Dukas for saying this, I suppose it's still a very unpopular and brave opinion among the politicians, who are known to care only for the short-term non-viable benefits.

I have a lot of feelings and thoughts regarding overtourism, given that I started this blog exactly because I am interested in the tourist industry, in touristic promotion in general.

A few days ago I scrolled through an article which was saying that some smaller country in Europe is getting more and more tourists and aspires to reach Greece's numbers by also competing with us over our tourists for a similar tourist product (beaches and sun) and there was this tinge of annoyance I felt because it's a cool country and I have been there but I have an opinion on this, so I was like somewhere between "bitch please" and "why, are we doing something wrong?". I mean, I wish the best for them but the annoyance was about kind of targeting tourists interested in Greece with cheaper offers and also because I am interested in this, the travel promotion of Greece, even as a hobby, so you know it sort of affects me, lol . But as I was scrolling down the article, I saw the other Greek comments and they were like "Good, let them go there and leave us in peace".

This gave me such a pause. It was one of the few times I found the comments shaking me towards their direction instead of making me angry or sad. I paused and thought, shit, they are actually right.

Let's be real, Greece does suffer from overtourism. Not only this but its overtourism is very disproportionately distributed in the country. Greece's travel product is also badly, old-fashionedly promoted (still the sun-and-beaches of the 70s which was only targeting Northern Europeans). All these create those masses of tourists following blindly the horrible itineraries of poorly informed, outdated travel agencies. Half of these people have no idea why they are coming and what they are supposed to be seeing and doing in every place.

I will go back to the notorious example of "Santorini is overrated and Greece has no trees" that you will hear a few of them say. You have people boarding a plane from the other side of the world to visit and stay on a half-submerged volcano crater and they are wondering where the forests are! People really have no idea where they are going and what for. Now this is a type of tourism we resolutely do not need. If you have to explain to someone what Santorini is AFTER they have gone there, everything was entirely lost on them, it was doomed from the beginning.

One of the most maddening videos I have ever watched was an American woman doing a travel video. She followed the AmericanTM tourist plan: she found a resort and just stayed there locked until the day of her return came. She also had just become a mother and she was dragging the baby in a different continent, only to walk it around the resort over and over. For some reason she made a youtube video for this. She didn't say anything negative but obviously if I knew nothing about Greece and I watched this, I would be like "wow what a boring place Greece is, you can't go anywhere, it's just a resort and a small market nearby". Is there really a need to overbuild the country with such massive resorts only to accommodate people who have no idea why they are coming and what they are supposed to do once they come?

Ultimately, tourism must NEVER be the main product of a country's economy. NEVER. It is very unsteady, unreliable business and when it starts doing too good, it means it will very soon ruin the country. The tourism industry must always remain steady, balanced and viable. There should be a predetermined viable percentage of area and investment that should be dedicated to tourism in every region and NEVER surpass those limits. In short, tourism should be only a side business for a country's economy and not the main thing. Even as a side thing it can become destructive. Look at how the Spanish and the Italians have started taking wild measures against tourism. There are literally protests in Barcelona with people asking tourists to leave to their face. We don't have this in Greece yet because for us it is our main industry so we still prioritise the financial need but it will soon happen here as well.

There is urgency to boost the first and especially the dead second sector in Greece. There is just no other solution. There is no light in the end of the tunnel. The first sector should not expand a lot (because its shrinkage the last decades led to the improvement of the once overexploited ecosystems, we do not want to undo this) but we should boost our produce's quality and its prestige in exports. Is there any Greek who hasn't discussed with their family that the local produce often tasted better than the imported one? Literally all of us. Greece can not produce in quantities but it can produce in quality. One example, I don't know if you know it; Greece sells olive oil to Italy and Italy rebrands it as Italian olive oil (which so far is more well known worldwide) and exports it internationally. This is an agreement between the two countries from which Greece gets fast and sure money and Italy covers deficits in the quantities required by its importers. All is well but Greece is once again getting the short end of the stick, because in the long term consumers who buy this olive oil and like it will form an affinity for what they think is the Italian olive oil and not the Greek one. Greece loses from the prestige it could perhaps have gained and it loses the chance to sell Greek olive oil more competitively for what it really is. Like, every choice we do as a state is a shot in our face. I don't know how we do it. It's a talent.

(BTW no bad feels to Italian friends, this is only critical of the Greek exporters' choices, both Greek and Italian olive oil rock but I am sure if the roles were switched and Italian olive oil was sold internationally as Greek, you would too maybe feel a little awkward about it.)

I won't even go to the second sector, I won't even go there. I will just say, whoever had PITSOS electric devices in their house in the early 90s ... is probably still having the very same devices right now as we speak. I know my parents do. PITSOS devices are what we call in Greek "bad dogs". They just don't ever break. At least not in the first 30 years of usage. Fortunately PITSOS re-opened but it will take ages for them to regain all the lost ground and even try to compete now with the foreign brands, even on a local level. And they have been so ruined that I can't tell their new products will be of an equal quality as the old ones. Greece had a lot of industries. It even had good fashion industries. It's crazy that it was much better self-sustained pre-EU. By the way, I am not blaming the EU or the tourists above. No, I am blaming the Greeks for getting worse and worse and worse at managing themselves.

Should I go to the merchant navy? Let's have a laugh. Greece is still miraculously the world leader in merchant navy with Greeks owning the 25% of commercial ships in the world. Of course, a few decades ago it was the 50% but we would certainly do our best to lose that. The problem is that most of the tycoons have left the country and have their bases in the UK and other countries due to a better tax system and they sail under different flags. The funny thing is that I was reading some articles and the president of the Greek tycoons was saying that they come constantly in contact with the Greek state to discuss all this, there is interest on their side to come back, to work things out but it's always to no avail. At this point, even the TYCOONS can't work in Greece!!! XD Top that. By the way, I am not concerned about how the ship owners will get by, trust me, but these businesses are always two-way relations. Imagine all the bases, all the shipyards, all the ship making, all the jobs in ship making and in the commercial navy. Imagine owning 25% of world's ships and NOT being an international leader in shipmaking. Plus, Greeks have historically and traditionally been seafarers, this is a quality of ours we should keep cultivating, even as part of our heritage, even for the heck of it.

We have destroyed all this and have thrown all our efforts to a badly planned, unstructured mass tourism. We are running towards self-destruction head first in every possible way. There are so many foreigners who are totally sold on the stereotype "Greece has no economy, never made anything". It wasn't like that. We had and still have fine produce. This is why Greek food is considered tasty. It's not having super complex, surprising recipes. It's the quality of the produce that makes Greek cuisine famed for being both tasty and healthy. We used to have good or at least very decent industries. I think apart from cars we were pretty self-sustained on most other things. And we used to have balanced, healthy tourism with travellers who knew why they came and they often came back again and again and even stayed for life after pension because they knew why they did it.

So, I am not against tourism, I will never be but it needs to become quality tourism again and a SIDE thing for us as well. When I say quality tourism, I do not mean luxe / expensive tourism because I hate the idea of a place being inaccessible to someone who truly desires to visit it, unless they are a millionaire (let alone that luxe tourism would also stop locals from travelling inland, which already is happening) but tourism needs to become intentional again. Meaning, a tourist should be a traveller, an explorer. They should understand what they come for and take their time to explore the country properly, with respect and genuine well-meaning interest to the best of their ability. By the way, this should apply for every country. And this is honestly the safest way you can have an authentically good experience in a new country.

As for those smaller countries which try to reach Greece's numbers, well, good luck for the five years until your country gets utterly ruined.

#greece #tourism #overtourism #travel #economy #greek facts #opinion #finances #anon #mail #link #boy am i passionate about this #long text #tw long #tw long post

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ausetkmt · 1 month

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Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel info from state website

FILE - Hundreds of people line Central Avenue and cheer during the 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival & Promenade in St. Petersburg, Fla. on June 30, 2012.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and St. Petersburg are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise this week when travelers learned that Florida's tourism marketing agency quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website sometime in the past few months.

Business owners who cater to Florida's LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it marked the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously championed a bill to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, and supported a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as well as a law meant to keep children out of drag shows.

“It's just disgusting to see this,” said Keith Blackburn, who heads the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “They seem to want to erase us.”

The change to Visit Florida's website was first reported by NBC News, which noted a search query still pulls up some listings for LGBTQ+-friendly places despite the elimination of the section.

John Lai, who chairs Visit Florida's board, didn't respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Dana Young, Visit Florida's CEO and president, didn't respond to a voicemail message Wednesday, and neither did the agency's public relations director.

Visit Florida is a public-private partnership between the state of Florida and the state's tourism industry. The state contributes about $50 million each year to the quasi-public agency from two tourism and economic development funds.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. Nearly 141 million tourists visited Florida in 2023, with out-of-state visitors contributing more than $102 billion to Florida’s economy.

Before the change, the LGBTQ+ section on Visit Florida's website had read, “There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

Blackburn said the change and other anti-LGBTQ+ policies out of Tallahassee make it more difficult for him to promote South Florida tourism since he encounters prospective travelers or travel promoters who say they don't want to do business in the state.

Last year, for instance, several civil rights groups issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that policies championed by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

But visitors should also understand that many Florida cities are extremely inclusive, with gay elected officials and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and they don't reflect the policies coming from state government, Blackburn added.

“It’s difficult when these kinds of stories come out, and the state does these things, and we hear people calling for a boycott,” Blackburn said. “On one level, it’s embarrassing to have to explain why people should come to South Florida and our destination when the state is doing these things.”

#Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel info from state website #florida #lgbtq #desatan #hateful #pride #lgbtq+#travel advisory for florida #another travel advisory for florida #civil rights

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newtraffictail6 · 1 year

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Digital Marketing Agency Travel

Starting a digital marketing agency focused on the travel industry can be a lucrative venture, especially if you have expertise in both digital marketing and the travel sector. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to start a digital marketing agency for the travel industry:

Market Research and Niche Selection:

Begin by conducting thorough market research to understand the current trends and challenges in the travel industry.

Identify your target audience within the travel sector. You could focus on specific niches like adventure travel, luxury travel, budget travel, or even specific geographic regions.

Business Plan:

Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your agency's goals, services, target market, and financial projections.

Determine your pricing structure, considering factors such as the scope of services and competition.

Legal Considerations:

Obtain any necessary permits or licenses required in your jurisdiction.

Build a Team:

Assemble a team of digital marketing experts with skills in SEO, content marketing, social media management, email marketing, and paid advertising.

Consider hiring travel industry specialists who can provide unique insights and connections within the industry.

Develop a Strong Online Presence:

Create a professional website for your agency, showcasing your services and case studies.

Utilize SEO best practices to ensure your website ranks well in search engine results.

Services Offered:

Offer a range of digital marketing services tailored to the needs of travel businesses. These may include search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media management, email marketing, paid advertising, and influencer marketing.

Content Marketing:

Create high-quality, informative content related to the travel industry. Blog posts, videos, and guides can help establish your agency's expertise.

Networking and Partnerships:

Attend travel industry conferences and events to network with potential clients and partners.

Build relationships with travel agencies, hotels, airlines, and tour operators to offer collaborative marketing services.

Client Acquisition:

Reach out to travel businesses with a tailored pitch highlighting how your agency can help them grow.

Leverage your online presence and social media to attract potential clients.

Analytics and Reporting:

Provide detailed analytics and regular reports to your clients to demonstrate the effectiveness of your digital marketing campaigns.

Continuously optimize strategies based on data insights.

Adapt and Innovate:

Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in digital marketing and the travel industry.

website- https://newtraffictail.com/

email- @newtraffictail.com

call us- +91 9310464180

#Digital Marketing Agency Travel #travel #travel and tourism marketing agency #digital marketing for travel agency #newtraffictail #newtt #seo #digital marketing company

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thiziznotrein · 7 months

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Reminisce the Past, Forecast the Future

"A traveler can change so as the travel they seek."

A way to escape, a breathable surface to take. Traveling can be fun in more ways: through extreme activities, finding leisure in specific places, wondering around the land of beauty, and capturing scenery. The future opens our eyes, but the past holds our hearts. Looking back at all that we have previously and predicting what the future holds is a way to see that these travel trends are continuously growing and evolving widely by the contribution and effect of the market.

Emerging with technology, the future can be more high-tech in any industry, especially in the tourism field. Some kind of astrotourism or space tourism will be offered where tourists take a peak in outer space. Robots will be introduced and will have a large impact as a travel trend. Automation became widely accepted amidst the pandemic, and even at the end of it, human tasks were taken by this innovation, from service to communicating, where “chatbots” and “jollibots” are one representation. Also, virtual reality tours will continue to grow, as some consumers have already encountered them. Through the lens of this invention, we can witness and be mesmerized by the beauty of a place. The mention of the future is filling us with excitement, but let’s now talk about what we had before we reached this conclusion. Wellness and retreat travel are two of the travel trends that all ages have undergone. They are getaways that you can do alone or in groups. The goal is to take a break, deeply breathe, and focus on setting yourself free. Then comes the entry of travel agencies, where tour packages arise. This made travel easy for travelers; with the use of tour itineraries, brochures, and flyers, all tourist needs are one pack away. Adventure travel is also one, as defined by the word itself: adventurous activities are executed. Last is the educational tour, a popular tour that takes place outside of schools every year.

#travelwritingandphotography #traveltrends

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digitalmarketinggoldcoast · 4 months

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Boost Your Business with Digital Marketing in Gold Coast

In the vibrant and competitive business environment of Gold Coast, standing out is more critical than ever. With stunning beaches, a thriving tourism industry, and a diverse economy, Gold Coast offers a unique landscape for businesses to flourish. However, to truly capitalize on the opportunities available, leveraging digital marketing is essential. This article explores how digital marketing can significantly boost your business in Gold Coast, providing practical tips and insights to help you get started.

Understanding the Digital Marketing Landscape

Digital marketing encompasses all online marketing efforts. Companies use digital platforms including websites, email, social media, and search engines to communicate with both present and potential clients. In Gold Coast, where the market is both dynamic and diverse, a robust digital marketing strategy can make a substantial difference.

Why Digital Marketing Matters

1. Reach a Wider Audience:

The internet is a global platform, and digital marketing allows you to reach a wider audience than traditional marketing methods. For businesses in Gold Coast, this means not just tapping into the local market but also attracting tourists and international clients.

2. Cost-Effective:

In many cases, digital marketing is less expensive than traditional marketing. Social media campaigns, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) can offer high returns on investment without the hefty price tag of TV or print ads.

3. Measurable Results:

The capacity to monitor and assess outcomes is one of digital marketing's key benefits. Tools like Google Analytics and social media insights allow you to see what’s working and what’s not, enabling you to adjust your strategies accordingly.

Key Digital Marketing Strategies for Gold Coast Businesses

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of making your website more visible on search engine results pages (SERPs). For businesses in Gold Coast, local SEO is particularly important. This involves optimizing your website for local search terms and ensuring your business appears in local listings and maps. Using keywords like "best café in Gold Coast" or "Gold Coast real estate" can help attract local traffic.

2. Content Marketing:

Content is king in the digital world. Creating high-quality, relevant content can attract and engage your target audience. For example, a Gold Coast travel agency could maintain a blog with tips on the best places to visit, events happening around the city, and hidden gems only locals know about. This not only helps with SEO but also establishes your business as an authority in the field.

3. Social Media Marketing:

Gold Coast is a visual paradise, making social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook perfect for marketing. Share stunning visuals of the coastline, behind-the-scenes looks at your business, customer testimonials, and upcoming events. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, running contests, and using relevant hashtags to increase your reach.

4. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising:

With pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, you may post adverts on search engines and only be charged when someone clicks on them. This can be a very powerful strategy for increasing targeted website visitors. Google Ads and social media advertising platforms like Facebook Ads offer sophisticated targeting options, ensuring your ads are seen by the right people at the right time.

5. Email Marketing:

Building an email list and regularly communicating with your subscribers can be a powerful way to nurture leads and maintain customer relationships. Offer valuable content, special promotions, and personalized messages to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Case Study: A Gold Coast Café's Digital Marketing Success

To illustrate the impact of digital marketing, let's look at a hypothetical case study of a local Gold Coast café, "Coastal Brews."

Challenge:

Coastal Brews, a quaint beachfront café, struggled to attract customers outside of peak tourist seasons. The owner wanted to increase year-round foot traffic and build a loyal customer base.

Strategy:

1. Local SEO: Coastal Brews optimized their website for local search terms like "best coffee in Gold Coast" and ensured their Google My Business listing was up-to-date with accurate information and positive reviews.

2. Content Marketing: They started a blog featuring articles on coffee brewing techniques, profiles of local suppliers, and upcoming events at the café. This content was shared on social media to drive traffic to their website.

3. Social Media Marketing: Stunning photos of their coffee, food, and beachfront location were posted regularly on Instagram and Facebook. They ran contests encouraging customers to share their own photos with a specific hashtag for a chance to win a free coffee.

4. PPC Advertising: Targeted Google Ads were set up to attract tourists searching for coffee shops in Gold Coast, especially during off-peak seasons.

5. Email Marketing: Coastal Brews collected email addresses through a sign-up form on their website, offering a discount on the first purchase. They sent monthly newsletters with updates, special offers, and personalized messages to subscribers.

Results:

Within six months, Coastal Brews saw a 40% increase in website traffic and a 25% increase in year-round foot traffic. Their social media following grew significantly, and they built a loyal community of regular customers.

Tips for Implementing Your Digital Marketing Strategy

1. Know Your Audience:

To determine their preferences, habits, and pain points, conduct market research. Adapt your online marketing strategies to their requirements and preferences.

2. Set Clear Goals:

Clearly state the goals you have for your digital marketing approach. Whether it's increasing website traffic, generating leads, or boosting sales, having clear goals will guide your efforts and help measure success.

3. Stay Updated:

The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and best practices to keep your strategies effective and up-to-date.

4. Monitor and Adjust:

Utilize analytics tools to assess your digital marketing performance on a regular basis.

Analyze what's working and what's not, and be prepared to adjust your strategies accordingly.

5. Engage with Your Audience:

Building a relationship with your audience is key to long-term success. Respond to comments and messages, encourage user-generated content, and show appreciation for your customers' support.

Conclusion

In the bustling business environment of Gold Coast, digital marketing is no longer optional—it's essential. By leveraging SEO, content marketing, social media, PPC advertising, and email marketing, you can reach a wider audience, engage with potential customers, and drive growth for your business. Whether you're a local café, a real estate agency, or a boutique shop, digital marketing offers the tools and opportunities to boost your business and stand out in the competitive Gold Coast market. Put these tactics into practice right now, and you'll see your company grow.

#social media marketing #seo services #digital marketing #search engine optimization #google ad

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greencab · 7 months

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Chandigarh To Delhi One Way Taxi

One way cab from Chandigarh to Delhi airport

Embarking on a one-way journey from Chandigarh to Delhi Airport is a pursuit of simplicity and convenience. Green Cabs, the pioneers of eco-friendly travel, take the helm in ensuring your travel experience is not only seamless but also environmentally conscious. In this blog, we’ll navigate the road that leads you to the airport terminal, highlighting the exceptional service provided by Green Cabs for one-way trips.

The Express Lane: Distance and Route Details:

Embark on the journey by understanding the distance between Chandigarh and Delhi Airport. Dive into the details of the route, showcasing how Green Cabs optimizes the path for a quick and efficient trip.

Green Cabs – Beyond the Name: A Company Overview:

Introduce readers to Green Cabs, the eco-conscious travel solution that’s revolutionizing the transportation landscape. Explore the company’s commitment to sustainability and how it translates into a comfortable Chandigarh To Delhi One Way Taxi.

The Perks of a One-Way Green Ride:

Delve into the benefits of choosing Green Cabs for a one-way trip. From transparent pricing to a fleet of eco-friendly vehicles, unpack the perks that make this service stand out.

Visit this website for complete details...

Chandigarh To Delhi One Way Taxi

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faroukomar2910 · 3 months

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Rise in Tourism in Egypt

In 2023, nearly 1.5 million Russians visited Egypt, with only Germany sending more tourists. In the first half of 2024, Egypt’s tourism sector saw a 5% revenue increase, reaching $6.6 billion compared to $6.3 billion in the same period in 2023. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported that Egypt welcomed 7.069 million tourists from January to June 2024, a slight 0.1% increase from the previous year's 7.062 million tourists. This growth includes various Egypt tours, highlighting the appeal of the country's diverse offerings.

Tourism revenues in Egypt have grown by 18% since 2010, reaching $5.6 billion that year. The rise in tourist arrivals also increased the number of nights tourists spent in Egypt, totaling 70.2 million in the first half of 2024, up from 67.6 million in 2023 and 65.7 million in 2010. Many visitors enjoy Egypt day tours, contributing to the extended stays.

A Boost from Russia

Egypt continues to attract Russian tourists, with the tourism ministry focusing on this key market. The Russia-Ukraine war initially impacted tourism, but Russian visitors to Egypt have since surged. Last year, 1.4 million Russians visited Egypt, a 40% increase from 2022. Egypt aims to attract 1.8 million Russian tourists this year, with 258,600 visiting between January and March, many of whom opt for Egypt tour packages.

Egypt is working with Russian travel agencies to boost tourism, especially to popular north-coast resorts along the Mediterranean. Amr el-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, held meetings with Russian tour operators to discuss strategies for promoting Egypt luxury tours and Egypt shore excursions. The goal is to enhance promotional efforts for Egyptian destinations in the Russian market.

Tour operators play a crucial role in Egypt’s tourism sector, bringing in 80% of tourists from European markets. The tourism sector, contributing about 12% to Egypt’s GDP, faced challenges from COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, leading to a drop in visitor numbers. In response, Egypt aims to double foreign visitors to 30 million by 2028 and boost private investment in tourism. The country plans to develop 250,000 hotel rooms and generate at least $30 billion in annual revenue, adding 25,000 new hotel rooms this year to accommodate more Egypt tours and attract a diverse range of tourists.

#egypt #travel #egypt tours #egypt travel #egypt trip #tourism #trending

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tomorrowusa · 1 year

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^^^ From the new Florida public school history textbook.

DeSantis's efforts to persecute minorities for political gain continues to have a negative impact on Florida's convention business.

DeSantis’ ‘anti-woke’ bills are costing Florida millions of dollars in business

A slew of new bills signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has draped the Sunshine State in controversy, spurring protests, lawsuits and travel advisories warning the state is “openly hostile” toward people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ community members. The fallout is starting to spread to a key economic artery for an income-tax-free state heavily reliant upon tourism taxes: Florida’s convention business. In recent weeks, at least a dozen organizations have announced plans to either cancel or relocate their upcoming conferences scheduled to take place in Florida, making a statement by having their thousands of attendees and millions of dollars flow into other states deemed safer and more welcoming.

Conventions are often planned out years in advance. So the reaction to the DeSantis homophobic, racist, and anti-women policies could ripple years into the future.

“Unlike leisure business, which is a very short-term booking window [in weeks or months], conference business is long term,” said Stacy Ritter, president and chief executive officer of the Visit Lauderdale tourism marketing agency in Broward County, Florida. “We’re booking ’26 to ‘30 now, so any impact that this might have is not going to be seen for years to come.” As of July 26, Ritter said that Visit Lauderdale has tallied 10 events and conventions that were canceled by organizations citing recently enacted laws, policies and travel advisories. That amounts to 15,000 lost hotelroom nights and an estimated $20 million economic impact, she said. Ritter, a longtime Democratic politician in the state, said she first started to see some businesses pull back following the 2022 legislative session and the first iteration of the ruling known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. At the time, she also received emails from leisure travelers suggesting they wouldn’t come back to Florida because they perceived it was hostile to the LGBTQ+ community. “That trickle from last year became a little stronger,” she said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, I wish I did, but I don’t know what happens in the future if this becomes a thing, or if this is a blip. Nobody knows.” [ ... ] Annual conferences are planned well in advance to ensure that it’s a smooth process to bring thousands of people together for a few days, and last-minute shifts are sometimes next to impossible for organizations. “Broward County has invested $1.5 billion in building an 801-room Omni hotel connected to our expanding and renovated convention center, [but]we are not seeing the bookings for ’26, ‘27, ‘28, ‘29 and ‘30, which we would have anticipated — considering that we will have this shiny new toy in the neighborhood in late-2025,” she said.

People who don't feel safe in Florida just won't want to go there.

For the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, a “principles-based decision” was made to move its fall 2023 conference from Florida to another host city. “While no place can be 100% safe, Miami and Florida in Fall 2023 did not feel like the best place to gather for our annual conference,” Laxmi Ramasubramanian, president of the ACSP, wrote to members on June 28 in a letter that was also provided to CNN. “We worried about attrition in conference attendance because some of our attendees were likely to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or fear for their own safety while navigating Miami outside of the conference venues.” Safety was a paramount concern for board member Petra Doan, a longtime and recently retired Florida State University professor who transitioned 25 years ago while on faculty. Doan, who moved to Maine last year after 33 years in Florida, said she considers herself a political refugee. “I often feel like if I will go back to Florida, I’ll have a target painted on me because I am openly trans,” Doan said.

#florida #ron desantis #desantis fake history #war on woke #african american history #florida's convention business is suffering because of desantis #republicans #gop presidential nomination #election 2024 #ruben bolling

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