Trends, Advocacy Highlight DMO Forum

The importance of protecting local and state funding sources, improving education efforts of tourism as a revenue generator, and the need for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations) to have a seat at the table, were high on the list of issues discussed when chief operating officers and executive directors from 63 destinations gathered at the DMAI’s (Destination Marketing Association International’s) CEO Forum in Sonoma, California, last week. Attendees noted that 2010 reaffirmed the need to build reserve funds while establishing and strengthening stakeholder relationships.

DMAI president & CEO, Michael D. Gehrisch educated attendees on the impact of the recently passed Travel Promotion Act. In addition, DMAI Chair and Team San Jose CEO Dan Fenton led a discussion on the association’s strategic initiatives of advocacy, technology, and social responsibility, with updates from respective committee chairs.

All told, CEO Forum attendees participated in over eight hours of interactive shirtsleeve sessions featuring discussions ranging from measuring social and print media to funding and non-traditional partnerships. This year also featured special breakout sessions for leisure, SMERF (Social, Military, Education, Religious, Frateral) markets, and large convention destinations, and corresponding specific market trends and topics.
 
Travel trends expert and forum Keynote Peter Yesawich spoke to the group about emerging demographic, lifestyle, and technology trends. Key takeaways from Peter’s session included:

* Only half of households in the United States travel, and unemployment anxiety continues.

* With 70% of U.S. households having internet access, the number one reason for online travel planning is comparison shopping of fares and room rates.

* Flash sales, or “strategic discounting”, will continue to grow with 16% of travelers already participating in online offers requiring immediate action.