In January of this year, Visit Durango released a 2021-2022 Strategic Marketing Plan, which caters to the white and wealthy tourism crowds. When called out on this anything-but-inclusive marketing strategy, there was zero accountability taken and no work toward harm reduction or inclusive marketing.
On March 10, Visit Durango released an ad campaign labeled “Durango Tourism Matters,’’, which co-opted the language of the Civil Rights Movement “Black Lives Matter.’’ When this was brought to the staff and board’s attention, we all received a canned response that says, “We have nothing but respect for the movement.”
A video from the campaign was removed due to the backlash and the harm it caused. Nearly a week has passed and Visit Durango refuses to make an apology nor hold themselves accountable for their poor actions. This speaks volumes to the communities harmed twice by their actions in the last two months.
The City of Durango must stand by their goal of “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” “Visit Durango” is taxpayer funded by the lodgers tax. They must condemn this behavior and call for accountability.
I strive to create a city where everyone is welcome and free, regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic background. We cannot achieve this if we choose not to hold each other accountable and fight systems of oppression. It starts with our foundation; from there we can learn, grow and collaborate toward a more inclusive future.
Harrison WendtDurango
