Published On: February 4, 2002
In a Strategic Marketing Group survey of over a hundred visitor and convention bureau executives nationwide, 46% indicated they anticipate events of September 11 to have an impact on their destination business levels over 4 months. The finding was part of the Strategic Marketing Group's 2001 Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing and Strategy Benchmark Practices Survey. In the study visitor and convention bureau executives were asked andquot;How long do you anticipate the events of September 11 to impact your destination's business levels?andquot; Eighteen percent indicated under 60 days, 23% indicated 61-90 days, 13% indicated 91-120 days, and 46% indicated over 121 days. andquot;The results mirror what we are seeing in the national scene,andquot; stated Carl Ribaudo, President of SMG. andquot;The slow anticipated recovery is of major importance to many communities because the taxes that tourists leave behind, including Transient Occupancy Taxes and Retail Sales Taxes, often pay for important community services,andquot; Ribaudo added. andquot;This is but one more challenge in an already slow economy.andquot; andquot;The key will be how communities with tourism as a part of their economic base respond. Will they pull in their horns or will they increase their investment in tourism in hopes of gaining market share and more tax dollars as travel levels begin to reach more normal levels?andquot; stated Ribaudo. Survey respondents were from a mix of Rural, Urban and Suburban destinations across the United States. The SMG 2001 Visitor and Convention Bureau Marketing and Strategy Benchmark Practices Survey is conducted every other year and is designed to assess Visitor and Convention Bureau marketing practices in a number of areas including tourism marketing, reservation and information systems, special events, collateral and fulfillment, marketing systems and budget levels. The 41-question study is available for $29.95 by contacting SMG at 530-541-2462, ext. 201 or by email at info@smgonline.net.
