SF Takes on Tourism

Multiple data sources find a significant deterioration in traveler sentiment over the past weeks. Many people report postponing or cancelling trips, but business leaders are telling a different story.

What's the DMO perspective on hosting the Olympics? Is possible to measure the ROI to any reasonable extent? Why might the games be doomed without serious reform? Let the Games … Be Gone?https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/17/sports/olympics/tokyo-olympics.html

Is the current recovery sustainable for certain destinations? What can be done to ensure destinations emerge from the covid era in a sustainable fashion?

Is business travel recovering? What are industry leaders seeing and saying? What's at stake? International vs. Domestic? So many questions!

Is inflation hitting travel prices? What are the causes and consequences. Is this something to worry about or even a good thing?

Listen in to the first episode of our new podcast format. Every week we'll be discussing one of the top stories in Travel. Short, informative and thought provoking!

Vaccination rates are driving travel interest to pandemic era highs. Listen in for a discussion on topics including: California's timeline for re-opening Travel Sentiment and key indicators What barriers remain for an international travel recovery

Daniel and Hubertus break down some of the latest developments in travel including a breakdown of the stimulus package, recent uptick in airline passengers, and the myriad issues facing vaccine passports.

Laurie Thomas, Executive Director for the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, joins the podcast to discuss a range of topics impacting the restaurant industry in San Francisco and nationwide.

An insiders view of how the ski industry has adapted during covid-19 to maintain operations, expand to new markets, and how investments in the customer experience will continue to pay off in the future. Patton Murray is the International Sales Manager at Alterra Mountain Company for Canada and Latin America. Adam Feehan is National Director of Sales for Alterra Mountain Company.

Over the last week we've seen a new president elected, encouraging data on a covid-19 vaccine and Europe lock down again.  Listen in as Hubertus and Daniel discuss how these major developments may impact the travel industry.  Their weekly "takes on tourism" emphasize acting quickly on new ideas, while focusing on small steps toward a recovery.

Tania Kedekian from Development Counsellors International joins the podcast to give a thorough update on the Canadian travel market. She helps unpack what the current consumer sentiment towards the USA is, if snowbirds will still be moving this winter, and more.

A conversation with Cassandra Costello, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Executive Programs, provides a view into the world of tourism and politics. What are the most pressing issues facing the industry in San Francisco? What challenges,opportunities and changes has covid-19 ushered in? Why does this position exist at so few DMOs? And why all tourism industry members need to be civically engaged.

Enjoy the launch of a new segment called “Spin the Globe”, featuring industry insiders who will share perspectives from markets around the world. First up: Germany! Our guest is Martin Walter, the owner of MSi who has a broad management experience working for international tourism companies and clients such as Air Canada, Hapag Lloyd, Emirates, Alaska Tourism, Brand USA, Destination British Columbia, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and Visit California.   He has deep knowledge and strong relationships in the German travel industry due to his professional experience spanning more than three decades with 30 years of practice in the destination representation business. Special thanks to Podington Bear for the intro music.

SF Takes on Tourism Podcast is back this week with new episodes. Daniel and Hubertus will be bringing you highlights and key takeaways from SF Travel's 2020 Visitor Lodging & Forecast Forum which was hosted virtually last week. Learn about macroeconomic trends, when and how tourism in SF will recover, and more. Special thank you to Scott Holmes for the welcome music.

Building a meaningful career is challenging during normal times and daunting during a pandemic, especially in the tourism industry. In this week's episode, we'll be speaking with former San Francisco Travel Board Chair Peter Gamez about staying positive during turbulent times, maintaining a growth mindset, and the secrets for attracting and landing the right job opportunities. Peter's career spans more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including the launch of more than 40 hotels and the development of five lifestyle brands in eight countries.

You don’t need to be a sports fan to appreciate the importance of sports tourism.  This week’s two guests, from Giants Enterprises and SF Travel, bring a wealth of experience in the field and will help uncover how and why sports and tourism are inextricably linked. What's the latest for sports in San Francisco? Will professional sports organizations survive this crisis and what will be different on the other end?  How can teams build an international brand?

This week's episode will provide a digest on some of the tourism industry's top stories and developments, as well an in-depth view into how destinations and other entities are approaching re-opening plans: What are strategies for smoothly and effectively handling a sudden change of course? What are examples organization striking the right tone and messaging?

In this week’s episode of SF Takes on Tourism, Daniel and Hubertus discuss some of the lesser-known stories emerging from the aviation world.  Why is British Airways suddenly selling artworks?  What happens if you refuse to wear a mask on-board?  What is an “air bridge”?    They’ll be joined by two aviation insiders: Daniel Cuellar, Director of Global Advertising, United Airlines Melissa Andretta, Director International Marketing and Aviation Development, SFO   Expect a lively conversation about what DMOs and other tourism business can learn from airline's marketing strategies.  Understand how airlines are deciding where to fly these days.  And most importantly, hear tips on how consumers and tour companies can find the best deals on flights.

Is California on a path to recovery? What are some of California’s unique strengths and weaknesses as a state and as a destination? Can the domestic market compensate for losses in international visitation? When will it be time to begin marketing overseas again, and how will we know? This week’s episode of "SF Takes on Tourism" will dig into these questions and others, as Hubertus Funke and Daniel Schwartz talk with Visit California's Associate Vice President of Global Marketing, Leona Reed.