As the oil spill comes on shore in Louisiana consumers are feeling imbalance about planning their summer vacation along the Gulf Coast. This is evident in parts of Florida and along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, since some hotel and resort bookings are down as much as 30% in these areas.

However, other beach tourism officials are rearing their ugly heads to capitalize on this consumer imbalance and lure vacationers to their beach destinations. Unfortunately this has started to catch on as a way for destinations and resorts to target advertisers who live in driving distance of Gulf Coast beach destinations. I am sad to see this kind of marketing and advertising, especially online.

Consumers are smarter than that. They can easily research online and in the news about the beaches that are affected, and so far it is not Alabama, Florida or the Carolinas. Consumers are also smart about the fact that if business is down in these areas because travelers are worried, hotels and resorts are going to bring out the incentives and offer some of the best deals ever… including really easy cancellation policies.

Eileen Ogintz, a nationally syndicated reporter told me that she is learning about some great incentives on the Gulf Coast and this as a great time for families to get the best value for their vacation. Check out www.takingthekids.com .After all, almost all of the Gulf Coast has clean beautiful beaches and the water is fine. If you can book your vacation without worrying about cancellations, and you get a great deal with incentives, why wouldn’t you book it?

I am saddened by the way some tourism marketers are handling this situation. I wonder what will happen if the “tide turns”.

Till Next Time,

Leah