Condos vs. National Chains

As a fifth generation local, my interests have always been to help grow our economy from within, always preserving heritage. Professional leadership in the accommodations industry is always critical.

I’ll never forget hearing my ole friend complaining about having to cross USM Campus to take a course in professional selling. He said in Dr. Ivy’s class that he should not have to study any marketing, since his major was hotel/restaurant management. As a national chain manager, marketing is outsourced, so he stated.

After studying the exact causes of the fall of the MS Gulf Coast tourism economy throughout the 1970s and 1980s, I strongly encourage the endorsement of condos over national chains. Unlike national chain-ism, whose success is protected under Socialistic tourism tax and spin programs (Harrison County Convention and Visitors Bureau HCCVB), condo managers can easily be held accountable by their guests (owners) for their ability (or lack thereof) to sell the value of the local community.

My research and development programs were instrumental in marketing Old Town & Ocean Springs while cross-marketing Grand Casinos, Theater and Entertainment beginning in October of 1996. I began helping Pass Christian’s merchants in March of 1994. The Downtown Association, Chamber and City of Gulfport hired my services one month before Katrina to begin the first stage of recovery. Grand Casinos, Hard Rock and many condominiums were eager, even before Katrina, to help my business better market Downtown Gulfport’s shopping and dining potential.

The research concludes that condominiums and certain casinos are more in touch with their guests and are more instrumental in sending hungry tourists into these downtowns. Unlike many national chains, the managers of these condos are usually locals rather than foreigners. This means that their credibility for selling the local lure is trusted and appreciated. This translates into strong economic and community development for the independent small business owners and artists.

If you want to see the rebirth of our heritage and encourage the success of mom and pop businesses paying higher wages to keep the locals from leaving, please welcome condominiums with distinct community appeal. Condos will not intrude on our heritage, but will actually give us a chance to build on it. Thank you.

Henry Ward
Tourism Business Solutions
Downtown Redevelopment Consultant
tourismguru.blogspot.com
tourismguru777@yahoo.com