BP PERSONALLY SPEAKING
PHOTO: iStockphoto. com/piepereit
Travel won’t likely unravel Sandy Ward remains busy and optimistic, even with the door slammed on her tourism team Mike McKenzie Sandy Ward puts our region on the map. Literally. And in brochures, in magazines, and to millions through the internet. Anywhere the trademarked BE (Bellingham Experience) can attract travelers, and inform them on where to eat, sleep, and be merry. Sandy, just three-plus years into her position as president/CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County tourism, has moved the organization to a seven-figure budget, attracting over $700 million in travel & rec visitation. Cue the sound of a screeching halt. Circumstances far beyond extraordinary drew Sandy’s professional and personal world to standstill status. When we first sat down for conversation, very early in March, the agency’s doors already were closed to public, some travel cancelled, and we bumped elbows instead of a handshake or hug in greeting. Within a week, due to virus vicissitude, all doors slammed shut. Tourism’s louder than most. Much of our content became moot points. Hence, working backward, the give-and-take with Sandy begins at the end.
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BUSINESSPULSE.COM | MAY/JUN 2020
BP: Your industry is surreal, in slow or even no motion. What’s the trickle-down effect to the local level? SW: Whether national, county, city, local — we’re all in the same boat. People are really not able or allowed to travel. We’re told to shelter in place, stay home and not travel. Interestingly enough, we received an email reply from Bend, Oregon, when we requested a visitor’s packet, that said.”Your Bend vacation can wait. Stay home. When this passes, then we want you to come.” BP: Any alternatives? SW: No. Some cities on the Washington coast shut down their roadways because people were flocking to beaches and trails, going on hikes and not doing social distancing, which defeated the purpose. With th.”Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, people started heeding the advice and only left home for essential reasons. Read more with Sandy Ward online at www. businesspulse. com
