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Obamas Aren't Coming, But Exposure Good for WilliamsburgBy Amber Lester Kennedy Saturday, April 09, 2011
President Barack Obama orders ice cream at a Panama City, Fla. Bruster's during a 2010 vacation. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
It turns out he will have to take that rain check, but even without coming, the Obama family has given the area the gift of free publicity. Since the first reports on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration was planning a no-fly zone over Williamsburg, media outlets, residents and tourists have speculated about how the First Family would spend their down time. On Thursday, the White House confirmed the Obama family hoped to visit the Historic Triangle for a long-planned spring break vacation, but the trip hinged on whether Congress could come to an agreement on the budget before midnight, when the government would shut down. By noon Friday, the debate was still raging on Capitol Hill, and the Secret Service alerted area police officials that the trip was canceled. “We were guardedly excited,” said Linda Stanier, communications director for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance. “We had no confirmation, no details…we were just waiting for any kind of statement out of the Washington press office. But we will be happy to see them at any time they can come.” All of that speculation gets people talking about Williamsburg. “The national exposure for Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg has been terrific,” said Tom Shrout, director of communications for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “We’ve been mentioned in the national media, including print and broadcast and online, and on Twitter and Facebook. That they would choose to come here, for Williamsburg, is wonderful exposure.” It’s also a sign that marketing Williamsburg as a family-friendly destination worked, at least for one very prominent tourist. It would have been the first Presidential family vacation to Williamsburg since 1993, when then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton, mother Dorothy Rodham and mother-in-law Virginia Clinton came for a visit. The Obama family’s possible vacation also reminded Americans of the variety of attractions in the area, Stanier said. “When you read about Michelle and the girls and the president, you see they all have different interests and our area can really appeal and satisfy all,” she said, noting Obama could hit the golf courses while Michelle, Malia and Sasha went shopping and the entire family could learn about history at Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Williamsburg’s history and location within four hours of Washington, D.C. has often made it a popular stop for national leaders and foreign dignitaries, most recently during the 400th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown in 2007. At that time, President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the Colonial city. The visit garnered international press, leading to a “very favorable impact,” Stanier said. Now, the tourism industry in Williamsburg is just hoping the Obamas pencil a Williamsburg weekend onto their calendar in the future. “We’re hopeful that maybe in the not-too-distant future they can make it, and enjoy and learn,” Shrout said. “We’re disappointed, but I think it’s been a win in terms of even the possibility that they might have come.” |
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Comments
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