Branson’s economy is just one big pineapple cream pie?

When a restaurant runs out of pineapple cream pie it simply puts another one out to sell. That is, unless it has no more to sell, in which case, those wanting pineapple cream pie go without. Although family oriented tourism destinations like Branson might be as rare as a pineapple cream pie in Branson obviously, Branson itself is not a pineapple cream pie.

“Seagull, this is kind of ridiculous, Branson’s not any kind of pie at all!”

“Actually, although obviously not a dessert pie, at least from a business perspective, Branson is a pie.”

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “pie” as “a whole regarded as divisible into shares.” Branson’s tourism based economy could be described as a “tourism pie” that is divided into pieces. The individual business success of Branson’s various attractions, theatres, lodging establishments, restaurants, retail, and other businesses is directly related to how many pieces of the tourism pie it is able obtain.

“Now hold on Seagull, are you comparing the majesty, omnipotence, and grandeur of Branson’s tourism entertainment industry to that of someone purchasing pieces of a pie?”

“That’s right.”

Each piece of the tourism pie represents potential customers for Branson businesses. The economic success of just about every business in Branson is directly related to getting enough of the tourism pie to provide the customer base they need to be successful.

“What happens if there are not enough pieces of the pie to go around?”

“The same thing that happens when a restaurant runs out of pineapple cream pie, there’s no more of the pie available.”

Unfortunately for Branson, when that happens it means that there are not enough potential customers to insure the economic success of its businesses. As a general rule, if there is not enough tourism pie to go around it will have an adverse economic impact on everyone.

“Oh come on Seagull, how can that be?”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Branson is basically a one industry town, and that industry is tourism. Tourism related businesses either employ or effect the employment of almost everyone who works in Branson.

In addition, they collect the bulk of the sales taxes that pay for sewer, water, bridge, and road infrastructure within both Taney County and Branson; city and county operating costs, including police and fire protection; and parks. Those same businesses also pay commercial real estate taxes which helps keep the residential property taxes necessary for education lower than they would otherwise be.

From the early and mid 90’s into the present day, Branson’s theatres, restaurants, and lodging establishments have been experiencing what happens when there is not enough of the tourism pie to go around. As demand for the pieces of the pie expanded the number of tourists needed to enlarge the pie did not expand fast enough to meet the need.

Some, the Ole Seagull among them, believe that Branson is about to undergo a similar expansion in the area of retail. Hugh projects like Branson Landing, Branson Hills, and many other commercial developments that seem to be springing up everywhere are reminiscent of the expansion that took place with the theatres, restaurants, and lodging establishments in the early 90’s.

Is there any logical reason to believe that if the tourism pie is not made larger that the results will be any different for Branson’s retailers? Did not the consultants for Branson Landing state in a public meeting that the existing retailers in Branson will take about a 29% hit for about two years after Branson Landing opens? And that was before Branson Hills and the other major retail development that has taken place since.

“But Seagull won’t Branson Landing and the other commercial developments bring in enough new visitors to expand the tourism pie so that everyone can get what they need?”

“Yeah, about as much as the early 90’s expansion in the number of available theatres, restaurants, and lodging establishments did.”

“Well if that won’t expand the pie enough what will?”

“That’s a rhetorical question right?