Travellers and agents boycotting the U.S should see the bigger picture, D.T Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee has said.
Speaking to media at Expedition Kissimmee on November 19, he urged potential visitors not to be put off by events taking place in Washington D.C.
“In a few markets there has been discussion about political boycotts of the U.S. ,” he said. “My message has been clear: boycotts don’t affect policymakers, they affect frontline workers in destinations like ours whose hours and wages depend on hotel and restaurant occupancy.”
He continued: “Those are the people who feel it when visitation drops; the servers, the housekeepers, the hourly staff. Tourism is our number-one employer, so when people choose not to visit because of politics, it’s the local families who rely on those jobs who end up paying the price.”
He said that Experience Kissimmee embraces visitors from all backgrounds and cultures and pointed to the destination’s official policy of not discriminating against anyone based on race, colour, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, in place since the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
He added: “Our stance is to remain fully committed to our long-standing partner markets and continue showing up, even when sentiment fluctuates.”
Minich also highlighted new developments that are underway including a large-scale development anchored by a five-star Mysk hotel (a Dubai-based brand managed by Kempinski) and a full-scale Nickelodeon resort linked to a new shopping and dining promenade.
“These developments signal the destination’s rapid evolution and strong future demand,” he said.
