I was just about ready to pitch today's Fort Myers News-Press when I saw this article on the front page that analyzes why FL tourists visit the Sunshine State and what lures them. According to the article, visitors who are drawn by arts events are fewer than others (such as recreation), but they spend more money.
Read the article here.
Comments
I'm not saying to start ANOTHER one -- but it seems the Philharmonic would make such an excellent partner for one of the existing events. One of my favorite art fair memories is being in Piedmont Park in Atlanta at twilight and through the trees we could hear the Atlanta Symphony playing "Georgia on my Mind." The people who support these fine musical groups have "friends of" kind of groups -- a resource that coincides with fine art events.
Good point, Richard. When I travel I usually am on the lookout for an art museum or art fair, that is when I'm not specifically traveling to see an art fair. Oh, by the way robins are in my front yard today. I may as well be in Florida at an art fair...
Very insightful post, Richard...you are right, there's a big distinction between "entrance" polls ("What do I WANT to do?") which describe blue-sky scenarios, and EXIT polls (what did I actually DO?). Good stuff, thanks for contributing.
Connie: Interesting point about the Philharmonic. I've seen the local arts organizations having booths at shows, but not the symphonies specifically.
It does not surprise me that liquor consumption ranks higher than arts consumption. When I first moved to FL I drank like a fish, nearly every day, because I was in "vacation mode." If you have just moved here, that settles down quickly. But for a vacationer, it's nearly always party time. :-)
They are drawn to the area for the sand, sun, and food/dining while on vacation. They DO spend time going to zoos, baseball games, museums, plays and Art Shows. They don't just travel from the frigid north specifically to see us, but they do divert to see us and enjoy it. I think this might be an entrance poll, if they ask folks what they did after they left I am sure there would have been a higher response to the arts. I am going on vacation next week to Vail (not really) and I want to go there for the skiing, the fireplace by the pool, the late night fun, and the dining out with friends. I would very likely do other things, but when you ask me why I am headed to Florida in March and I live in the snow zone my answers will be sun, warmth, golf, beach, umbrella drinks and Jimmy Buffet songs ( again nit me ) but someone who has worked their tail off in the snow isn't thinking, " Man I can't wait to get to Florida to go to an artfest." But when they get here they will go and enjoy them.
Thanks for this link, Geoff. I always love this information about the economic impact of the arts.
This was the most interesting quote I pulled from the article:
What? the fifth most profitable arm is liquor? I am stunned. But glad to see they are counting the arts. I know when we traveled through the area to do the shows if we'd be there for five to six weeks we made a contribution to the economy between motels, gas, restaurants, tourist sites, groceries. Over the 20+ years we went to Florida we must have visited almost all of the "destinations" -- especially loving the bird sanctuaries and the "cracker" towns. But we never went to the Philharmonic. Maybe the Phil needs to co-sponsor one of the art festivals.