Tourism promotion is economic development and public diplomacy

A few weeks ago, the Washington Post Magazine had a big story about how the travel industry has a big campaign to get federal funding for tourism promotion overseas, "Mickey Goes to Washington."

The article was positioned as about the power of lobbying. And I suppose that is a legitimate take. BUT, the shocking thing is that most other national governments around the world understand the economic importance of tourism, as well as the value it provides in introducing their country and citizens to others.

(Also see "Bill would help lure foreign tourists: Promotional campaign would counteract off-putting U.S. border officials," from the Puget Sound Business Journal.)

The U.S. Government's website on tourism pales in comparison to most any other first world nation.

Interestingly most state tourism websites are probably better. (And in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, there are also great state websites with incredible resources. Ironically, DC's "state" tourism website isn't very good either, at least compared to say Ontario, Nova Scotia, or Alberta in Canada, or Georgia or Connecticut or Maryland or Virginia in the U.S.)

I have mentioned Simon Anholt before. He is perhaps the founder of "place" and "nation" branding although the marketing of place and local places is not new. Check out Simon Anholt's placeblog and website. I really wish I could afford to subscribe to the journal he edits, Journal of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.