I believe that you do want to encourage a good working relationship with the
tour operators, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of your
institution.

Is it possible to discuss your concerns with the tour operators?  Perhaps by
hosting a short forum with light-refreshments.  You might even find an
underwriter for such an occasion.

Like it or not ... we are salesmen!

"Everyone lives by selling something."  Robert Louis Stevenson


>From: Harold Needham <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Late tours
>Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 15:07:32 -0400
>
>Blair;
>
>That's a VERY positive and creative solution. Good idea!
>
>Harry
>
>"Those who play with cats must expect to get scratched"
>
>                -  Cervantes, "Don Quixote"
>
>Harry Needham, M.A., CFE, etc.
>President
>Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
>Training & consulting services for heritage institutions - and others!
>74 Abbeyhill Drive
>Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
>Canada
>email: [log in to unmask]
>(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
>(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Blair H. White <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 12:56 PM
>Subject: Re: Late tours
>
>
> > I would suggest that you eliminate the free after 4:30 and offer
>instead,
>a free admission for the following day for those paying late in the day.
>Sure you will miss a few people who cannot come in the next day, but you
>are
>telling people you care and want them to have time to see
> > the whole museum, not just take their money.  And you take care of the
>tour people who are taking advantage of your existing policy.
> >
> > Blair H. White
> >
> > John Gavin wrote:
> >
> > > A tour bus company shows up at the museum door at 4:30 on Wednesdays.
>We
> > > close at 5:00 and stop charging admisssion at 4:30. The bus unloads
>and
>the
> > > tourists file in to use our restroom facilities. The tour bus operator
>has
> > > told them that we do not charge after 4:30 and also tells them not to
>buy
> > > in our giftshop because it is too expensive. We have talked to them
>about
> > > paying, and we would stay open an extra hour. Of course their idea is
>to
> > > come in for free so that is not an option! Any ideas? Thanks.
> > >
> >
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