Rebuilding tourism vital for Gulf Coast

Yet, if one looks beyond the immediate devastation to the long-term needs of the Gulf Coast region, it isn’t such a strange thing to ponder.

Tourism, after all, is a major industry in that part of the country – it accounts for 14 percent of New Orleans’ jobs – and rebuilding the economy is one way to help the region recover.

Images of debris-strewn beaches, flooded streets, destroyed buildings and thousands of people who have lost loved ones and lack basic necessities make rejuvenation of the region’s travel and tourism industry a task nearly beyond comprehension.

Where does one begin?

There are no simple answers to helping with the immediate aftereffects of the disaster, and figuring out how to lessen the economic woes that will plague the Gulf Coast area for months, probably years, is daunting.

Perhaps one solution is that we each do what we can to help now with humanitarian needs and in the future with economic needs.

For now, that means we continue donating money, time or whatever we can to the organizations helping those displaced by the storm.

For the future, that means organizations with conventions and other events scheduled in the Gulf Coast area and individuals planning to vacation there should move forward with those plans.

If storm damage makes it impossible to travel to the original destination, they should seek alternative locations rather than cancel events or leisure travel.

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is doing its part to help.

First, the bureau won’t actively seek to book groups displaced by the storm.

Second, if a meeting planner contacts the bureau wanting to relocate, the CVB sales staff will encourage them to keep their meetings in the Gulf Coast area if possible.

Third, if relocation is necessary because facilities are damaged or destroyed, the Springfield CVB will work hand-in-hand with bureaus in storm-affected areas to accommodate the groups and, for at least six months, provide its portion of hotel-motel taxes collected from relocated groups to the CVB in the original host city.

The bureau also is encouraging other destination marketing organizations across the country to do the same.

It’s not just a matter of helping rebuild the Gulf Coast economy. It’s also about helping keep the nation’s economy sound, because travel is a $1.3 trillion industry that provides 7.3 million jobs.

If multiple conventions and events are canceled and thousands of leisure travelers cancel travel plans, the obvious happens: Jobs are cut, tax revenues are lost and the nation’s economy suffers.

Besides that, travel has intangible benefits.

People who travel for conventions learn new skills, network with their peers, are rejuvenated and gain new ideas to implement in their workplaces. They become a better work force.

Leisure travel creates quality time for families, gets people away from the stress of their lives and expands their knowledge of the world.

Susan Wade is the public relations manager with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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