INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Are you stumped for a Christmas gift for that tourism professional in your life? Here’s an unusual suggestion—a book titled Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder.

That’s not as goofy a suggestion as it might sound, especially if the recipient is a parent or grandparent . . . or simply someone who takes the long view about protecting public land.

Author Richard Louv sees a world where children are increasingly disconnected and disinterested in the great outdoors. Kids who don’t play in the woods, splash through creeks and enjoy Mother Nature face challenges that lead to obesity, attention disorders, depression and stress.

“That’s on a personal level. On a societal level, kids who don’t enjoy the outdoors grow up to be adults who won’t care about public lands or about passing nature’s heritage along to future generations,” said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society. More...

The concept of “destination loyalty” motivates many Americans when they decide where to vacation. Fully two-thirds of 1,000 consumers polled by the U.S. Tour Operators Association said destination is the determining factor when planning a vacation.

Price and value are important, but they enter the picture after the destination is chosen—and a third of those polled said they typically repeat favorite vacation spots. More...

Christopher Elliott, author of “The Travel Troubleshooter” column, looks at destination loyalty from the perspective of the consumer, and he sees no reason to be loyal to businesses that dish out poor customer service. He offers a list of five things consumers can do to improve the service they receive. Key among them: Don’t reward bad service with your patronage. More...

Citing success that has resulted from a spirit of cooperation, three travel industry giants are folding into one organization. The trio that will unite are the Travel Industry Association, the Business Travel Roundtable and the Discover America Partnership. The three organizations see strength in unity as they represent America’s $1.2 trillion travel community, especially in government relations and public affairs programs. More...

AROUND THE SOUTHEAST

The greenest hotel in America?
Is the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., really the greenest hotel in the U.S.? That’s what a recent hotel news release proclaims. The hotel has a long list of ways it’s working not to harm the environment. A biggie on that list is what it says is North America’s first elevator that generates electricity as it descends. Now, why didn’t you think of that and become a millionaire? More...

Hey, Canadians! Come on down
Can a million marketing dollars and the prospect of warm temperatures lure more Canadians to Central Florida this winter? The Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes so. It has earmarked the million bucks to influence women ages 25-54, mainly in eastern Canada. The message: Central Florida is the place for family bonding—and escaping frigid Canada. The strengthened Canadian dollar helps that message, of course, but the weatherman really holds the trump card.

Renovating Ford's Theatre
February 2009--the start of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth--is your next chance to visit Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., site of his assassination. A $40 million renovation is the reason. The project includes a new lobby, a reworked museum and a new Center for Education and Leadership focused on Lincoln¹s legacy. Ford's Theatre, a National Historic Site managed by the National Park Service, draws nearly one million visitors per year.

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