Mountain resort towns and other Colorado tourist destinations are fighting what they perceive as a congressional effort to discourage corporate trips.
The negative publicity surrounding “junkets” has become so feverish that tourism leaders have gone on the counterattack against legislation aimed at restricting such meetings and conventions for companies accepting bailout funds.
Resorts and tourism leaders fear the negative focus on business trips and conventions will keep companies not receiving bailout funds from planning or attending such meetings to remain politically correct, said Paul Strong, executive director of the Colorado Association of Ski Towns.
“No matter how well-intentioned, any attempt to cut back on tourism is a concern,” Strong said.
Tourism is the state’s second- largest industry, accounting for $9.8 billion in revenue and employing 200,000 workers, based on 2007 reports. Four million overnight stays in Colorado a year are business-related, accounting for 16 percent of the state’s overnight stays.
President Barack Obama warned companies that they would not receive bailout funds if they kept spending on perks such as private jets and trips to Las Vegas. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., introduced a bill addressing the issue last week.
The Aspen Chamber Resort Association and the Snowmass Tourism Office recently sent a letter to Congress asking that lawmakers stop demonizing corporate trips. Other state organizations have followed suit, and the U.S. Travel Association is running a campaign called “Meetings Mean Business.”
Resort towns with high-end reputations are being hit especially hard, said Debbie Braun, president and chief executive of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. Such cities are losing bookings to cities perceived as less glamorous or more business-centric, she said.
“It’s not making sense, because it’s propelled by this fear of being perceived as going out on a boondoggle when actually group business is one of the largest classrooms in the United States,” Braun said.
Visit Denver, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, also has joined the effort, spokesman Rich Grant said.
“It’s a mistake, and it’s shortsighted,” Grant said of the legislation. “It’s a serious thing to this state because we do have a lot of places that have an upscale reputation.”
Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com
