BRANSON 2 nd QUARTER 2014 MARKETING REPORT October 14, 2014 Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW Economic Overview Travel Industry Update Branson 2Q 2014 Update
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Consumer Confidence is at 90.9, up 17% in 2014 and is now at its highest point since October 2007. +17.3% In 2014 An index of 90 is considered necessary for sustainability and 100 is required for growth. Source: The Conference Board
U.S. Unemployment Rate stands at 6.1%, the lowest it has been since September 2008. The Unemployment rate had dipped to 6.1% in June, down from 6.7% at the start of the year. 6.1% June 2014 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 5
U.S. Gasoline Prices averaged $3.54 in July, up 10.2% on the year and up 1.1% compared to April of 2013. +1.1% Vs July 2013 EIA reports that gasoline prices averaged $3.54 in July. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration 6
Oct '11 Nov '11 Dec '11 Jan '12 Feb '12 Mar '12 Apr '12 May '12 June '12 July '12 Aug '12 Sep '12 Oct '12 Nov '12 Dec '12 Jan '13 Feb '13 Mar '13 Apr '13 May '13 June '13 July '13 Aug '13 Sept '13 Oct '13 Nov '13 Dec '13 Jan '14 Feb '14 Mar '14 Apr '14 May '14 June '14 July '14 HISTORY OF U.S. AVERAGE GASOLINE PRICES $3.90 $3.80 $3.70 $3.60 $3.50 $3.40 $3.30 $3.20 $3.10 $3.00 $3.54 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
The DJIA closed Aug. 2013 at 16,368.27 on August 7, flat so far in 2014. -1.3% In 2014 The DJIA hit 16,368.27 on August 7, down from the 16,576.66 close in December. Source: Dow Jones Industrial Average 8
U.S. TRAVEL PERFORMANCE
The US Travel Association estimates leisure travel was up 1.4% in 2013 and will increase 1.7% in 2014. 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% -1% -2% -3% 6.1% 4.1% 3.8% 3.5% 2.9% 2.2% 2.0% 1.2% 1.4% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.9% 0.6% -0.4% -1.3% -2.5% 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014f 2015f 2016f 2017f Source: U.S. Travel Association
Business travel volume is estimated to have increased by 0.5% in 2013 and is projected to grow 1.6% in 2014. 4% 2% 0% -2% -4% -2.9% 2.2% -0.6% -0.3% -1.9% -2.8% 2.8% -1.1% 0.2% 0.5% 1.6% 1.4% 1.1% 0.9% -6% -8% -10% -12% -9.7% -5.8% -6.7% 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014f 2015f 2016f 2017f Source: U.S. Travel Association
Nationwide, room demand is up 4.1% over the previous 12 month period. +4.1% Past 12 Months Source: Smith Travel Research 12
U.S. room demand has varied by chain scale so far this year. 7.0% 6.0% EOY Variance in Room Demand by Chain Scale 6.5% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 2.2% 3.8% 3.9% 2.8% 4.3% 3.8% 1.0% 0.0% Luxury Upper Upscale Upscale Upper Midscale Midscale Economy Independents Source: Smith Travel Research
7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% U.S. room demand is up in every census region, but is strongest in the Mountain region. 2.1% 2.4% EOY Variance in Room Demand by Census Region 4.5% 3.2% 4.1% 4.9% 4.4% 6.2% 3.7% 1% 0% New England Middle Atlantic South Atlantic East N. Central East S. Central West N. Central West. S. Central Mountain Pacific Source: Smith Travel Research
TRAVEL INDUSTRY UPDATE
TRAVEL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Forecast 2014 2014 lodging demand is expected to grow by 3.3% while supply is expected to increase by 1.0%. The net result is a national occupancy forecast of 63.8% in 2014 which, if it occurs, will be the highest annual occupancy rate since 1997. Other growth is expected as well. It is expected that domestic air travel enplanements will grow by 2.0%, U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) will increase by 2.0%, disposable consumer income will increase 1.8%, personal spending will grow 2.0%, the savings rate will increase 3.5% and inflation will increase 2.5%.
TRAVEL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Choice Hotels 2014 Summer Travel Survey revealed 8 trends: More Trips, But Fewer Nights Away. There will be a 17.2 percent increase in the number of leisure trips taken this summer, but travelers will spend fewer nights away, with a decrease of 9.4 percent. Travelers Prefer Driving. The survey found that 75.3 percent of summer travelers are planning to drive to their leisure travel destination this summer, driving an average of 689 miles round-trip. Fifty percent of respondents also said that they would prefer a two-hour drive compared to a flight, bus or train ride. Loyalty Programs Influence Travelers' Booking Decisions. The survey showed that 34.6 percent of travelers say that loyalty and incentive programs influence where, how and when they travel, and over 53 percent of respondents are enrolled in travel rewards programs.
TRAVEL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Choice Hotels 2014 Summer Travel Survey revealed these top 10 trends Camping is the Least Favorite Vacation. Nearly 40 percent of travelers (38.2 percent) said that camping was the least desirable type of summer vacation. New Locations Trump Old Favorites. Almost 70 percent of respondents (66.8 percent) would prefer to visit somewhere new over returning to a favorite vacation destination this summer. Travelers Want to Explore Cuisines, Unless They Have Kids. When on summer vacation, 28.9 percent of respondents choose to dine at restaurants they can't find at home, unless they are traveling with children. If travelers have children under 12 years of age, 24.5 percent most often visit casual dining restaurants, like TGI Friday's and Applebee's.
TRAVEL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Choice Hotels 2014 Summer Travel Survey revealed these top 10 trends Free High-Speed Internet Most Important. Free high-speed Internet was selected by 65.5 percent of respondents as the "must-have" amenity when selecting a hotel or resort for summer travel. Following free high-speed internet, free continental breakfast and an in-room refrigerator polled highest for needed amenities at 54.5 and 49.6 percent, respectively. Millennials are Travelling with Pets. The survey found that Millennials are 21.7 percent more likely than older generations to be traveling with a pet this summer.
BRANSON 2014 PERFORMANCE
($000 s) CITY OF BRANSON SALES TAX YTD through June 2014 $5,000 $4,500 $4,000-1.1% -0.4% +7.5% +0.1% +6.2% $3,500 $3,000 $2,500 $2,000 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: City of Branson
($000 s) CITY OF BRANSON TOURISM TAX YTD through June 2014 $4,400 $4,300 $4,200 $4,100 $4,000 $3,900 $3,800 $3,700 $3,600 $3,500 +7.4% +5.7% +6.0% -10.1% -1.7% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: City of Branson
($000 s) TCED TOURISM TAX YTD through June 2014 $3,300 $3,250 $3,200 $3,150 $3,100 $3,050 $3,000 $2,950 $2,900 $2,850 $2,800 $2,750 +5.7% +2.3% +3.8% +1.7% -2.9% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: TCED
ROOM DEMAND COMPARISON YTD through June 2014 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% -2.0% -4.0% -6.0% 11.7% -4.3% YOY Variance in Room Demand 9.3% 8.4% 5.9% -0.8% 4.5% -2.1% 0.8% Source: Smith Travel Research
BRANSON VISITOR UPDATE & CVB NEWS
2014 VERSUS 2013 Branson Visitor Profile Insights (YTD through May) 2014 2013 VAR Spending per party $839 $853 -$14 First-time visitors 22.4% 25.2% -2.9% % Families 35.9% 28.4% +7.5% Average adult age 58.5 58.6 +0.1 Length of stay 4.1 3.6 +0.5 % saw shows 77.8% 77.3% +0.5% Avg. # shows seen 3.2 3.2 +0.0 Source: BCVB Visitor Profile Research; H2R Market Research
2014 YTD VISITATION BY MARKET DMA Report Findings (YTD Through May) % of Visitors Market Var. to 2013 17.1% Core Market (0-100 miles) -0.1% 30.0% Primary Markets (101-300 miles) +1.2% 24.4% Outer Markets (301-650 miles) +0.0% 28.6% National Markets (651+ miles) -1.1% 100.0% Total + 8.4% Source: BCVB Visitor DMA Report; H2R Market Research
ExploreBranson.com Partnered with Springfield CVB to conduct website focus groups compared to several other destinations Groups in St. Louis, Dallas and Oklahoma City Used findings to conduct RFP process to select partner to redesign ExploreBranson.com Selected Miles Partnership in May Site s underlying technology was over 5 years old Miles/BLACVB currently rebuilding the site Expected Jan/Feb 2015 launch
Public Relations Branson is #19 in U.S. family destinations, according to TripAdvisor, beating out places like Nashville and Myrtle Beach. Society of American Travel Writers Western Chapter coming to Branson next spring for their 2015 conference. Vocus (edited, Branson CVB) ad equivalency value is currently up 4% versus previous year.
Social Media Choose Your Own Branson Adventure Giveaway on Facebook Fans created the package and then entered to win. 2,485 contest entries 1,368 contest entry shares Hosted two Branson Twitter Parties with the theme of Summer Fun 20+ Branson businesses participated 50+ consumers engaged
Leisure Group Sales Trade Shows: Women s Living Expo, Springfield, MO April 4-5 International PowWow, Chicago, IL April 5-9 Missouri Bank Travel Exchange, Branson April 29-30 YMRC, San Antonio, TX May 4-6 Texas Black Expo, Houston, TX June 20-22 Hosted: 6 th Annual Professional Travel Planner FAM April 22-25 8 th Annual Music Director FAM June 17-20
Meetings & Conventions Working with Central States Shrine Assn to return in 2018. This group brought 3,400 attendees to Branson in August 2013. Two videos were completed: a welcome video for groups to show at the convention prior to Branson and a campaign video to encourage local community leaders to be an advocate within associations and groups they belong to. A new ground transportation incentive plan was developed to assist meeting planners with transportation between the Springfield-Branson Airport and Branson. Our team hosted a special local educational seminar on the meetings, conventions and sports markets on. Topics included sales prospecting, marketing and research.
Looking Ahead 2015 Marketing Plan 2015 Budget Launch of Redesigned ExploreBranson.com 2015 ABA and SYTA Planning Ad Agency Search Cooperative Asset Program