Tourism Summit paints positive picture

The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau held its seventh twelve-monthly Tourism Summit on May 5 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. It had been so good to see so many colleagues personally again. And it had been an excellent sign that the majority of us chose to wear green wrist bands indicating comfort with handshakes and hugs.

The complete program told a good story about Galveston and the tourism industry most importantly.

Held each year during National Travel and Tourism Week, the aim of the free event is to gather hospitality industry partners to network, share ideas and find out about emerging trends.

To kick off the function, Mayor Craig Brown presented a proclamation to Park Board CEO Kelly de Schaun recognizing May 2 to May 8 as National Travel & Tourism Week in Galveston.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Despite a worldwide pandemic, Galveston is a location companies plan to spend money on. A panel made up of Royal Caribbean Government Relations Vice President Russell Benford and Destination Development and Deployment Vice President Joshua Carroll, plus Mayor Craig Brown and JLL consultant Bethanie DeRose, moderated by de Schaun, all shared their optimism for responsible, community-oriented development. Benford and Carroll shared that Royal Caribbean plans to get a lot more than $100 million in a new cruise terminal which will be home to 1 of the largest cruise ships on the water.

• A panel on diversity, equity and inclusion touched on issues linked to tourism and how those qualities affect a community. Panelists included Samuel Collins III, Raymond Lewis, Steven Pena, Tonya Ladipo and moderator Calista Smith. Lewis pointed to the $100 billion made annually from African American travel spending and advised the audience on ways for Galveston to participate that. Galveston’s rich immigration history and its own place as the birthplace of Juneteenth make it well poised to do just that.

• It’s go time! That was the overriding message from keynote speaker Cindy Novotny. The radical mentor and tourism-industry consultant urged participants to be equipped for a quick go back to business and said superior customer support tactics can help separate this destination from others also returning from the pandemic.

• Steven J. Baines and Kyle Scheele delivered optimistic messages about creating personal brands and creating fulfilling lives. Baines pointed to opportunities to volunteer and serve as ways to derive satisfaction and form connections. Scheele reminded people that we only get one life and advised the audience to determine what they have also to work for what they have to create their finest life.

Thank you to our local sponsors because of their support: The Galveston County Daily News, Moody Bank, Prestige Oysters, Joe Tramonte Realty, Port of Galveston, Soar Vacation Rental Services, Sand ‘N Sea Properties, The San Luis Resort, The Tremont House and Royal Caribbean Group.

Join us next year for the Tourism Summit scheduled for May 5, 2022.

Park board meetings are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at 601 23rd St. and via livestream at www.galvestonparkboard.org.