Stop Building Tools for Destinations You Don’t Respect.

Honestly? I’m exhausted. Because every time I turn around, there’s another “AI solution for DMOs” acting like it cracked the code on tourism marketing.

It writes captions. Maybe schedules a post. Definitely has a dashboard no one asked for.

Meanwhile, real destination pros are out here using CapCut, ChatGPT, and a prayer at 2am, trying to hold the entire ecosystem together while you pitch the same recycled tool in a shinier box.

You didn’t build innovation. You built noise. And I’m tired of watching smart people waste time and budget on platforms that make their teams less capable, not more.

Let’s just say it: We do not need another platform that “makes marketing easier” by treating our teams like they can’t handle real tools. That’s not innovation. That’s passive aggression with a login screen.

To be fair, I don’t even know exactly what your shiny new platform does. And that’s kind of the point.

Because what I do know is that this industry keeps getting sold simplified tools for complex problems. Tools that are labeled “just for DMOs” as if that’s a strength instead of a red flag. Tools that — if we’re being honest — sound like they were built by someone who’s never once been yelled at by a stakeholder during a city council meeting.

So let’s get something straight:

This rant? Not for the data guys. If you’re building attribution models, economic impact tools, or geolocation overlays with that creepy magic, I see you. I respect you. Keep doing your wizardry.

This is for the content tech bros. The “we made an AI thing to help DMOs post on Instagram” crowd. The “what if ChatGPT, but... dumber?” people. The ones who keep handing us rebranded tech that already exists and charging triple because it has the word “destination” in the pitch deck.

You didn’t break new ground. You found an existing playground, drew a fence around it, and started charging admission.

So here’s a better plan:

Want to help your DMO team today? Hand them the real tools the rest of the world is using:

• CapCut – Fast, clean reels. Transitions. Music sync. No fuss.

• Runway ML – Magic video edits, object removal, cinematic b-roll

• Descript – For turning interviews, talks, and rants like this one into content

• ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini – For content, planning, and clarity in chaos

• HeyGen / Synthesia / PlayHT / ElevenLabs – For voiceovers, video dubbing, and multilingual content

• Midjourney / DALL·E / Ideogram – For visuals, posters, merch mockups, and frankly... fun

• Envato Elements ImageGen – (Used for this article header)

These tools are powerful. They’re scalable. And best of all, they don’t come wrapped in “you probably can’t figure this out” energy.

If you feel a little called out right now? If your eye twitched? If you started drafting a LinkedIn comment and then deleted it?

You might be the problem. (Or at least profiting from it.)

But here’s the good news: You can stop. You can let destinations grow. You can be part of the solution instead of the software subscription.

And hey, if you’re tired of the BS too?

I’ve got rage in my heart, and three free audit spots open this year. I’ll personally look at what you’re using, what you’re overpaying for, and what your team could be doing better with free or low-cost tools.

DM me. First three only. After that, I’m back to coloring angry pictures and building my own platform called: “Stop Buying Dumb Sh*t.”