US tourism ‘losing billions because of image’

[cal04]

The US is losing billions of dollars as international tourists are deterred from visiting the US because of a tarnished image overseas and more bureaucratic visa policies, travel industry leaders have warned. “It's an economic imperative to address these problems,” said Roger Dow, chief executive of the Travel Industry Association of America, tourism's main trade body, which concluded its annual convention this weekend in New York.Mr Dow stressed that tourism contributed to a positive perception of the US, which spread across to business.

“If we don't address these issues in tourism, the long-term impact for American brands Coca-Cola, General Motors, McDonald's could be very damaging,” he said. The plea echoed that of other industry trade organisations which say bureaucratic visa procedures and stringent security after the September 11 terrorist attacks have deterred business travellers and foreign students. “The idea has gotten out that we've pulled in the welcome mat,” said Rick Webster, the association's director of government affairs.

The number of international visitors last year rose 12 per cent, compared to 2003, to 46.1m, according to the US Commerce Department. They spent $93.7bn, or 17 per cent more than their counterparts the previous year. However, US market share of foreign visitors is still down 38 per cent since 1992, according to the TIA. The number of global travellers has grown by 2 per cent to 770m since 2000, but US market share has not kept pace. “Our piece of the pie has shrunk by 5m visitors,” said Mr Dow.

The weak US dollar has boosted the number of international visitors, but given favourable currency rates for many foreigners, those numbers should be far higher.“The weak US dollar is masking some of the problems,” said Mr Webster. “And the dollar won't remain weak forever.”
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/9d3b32bc-bfe8-11d9-b376-00000e2511c8.html

[htuttle]

1. Maybe if we stopped sending foreign tourists to Syria for 'rendering'?

I bet that just might make a difference over time.

[MountainLaurel]

3. That's a good point

I read recently about a prep school in New England that has lost perhaps one-third of its population, as it had previously attracted a large contingent of students from the Middle East. No doubt their parents, hearing about how we treat Muslims in this country (i.e., rounding them up for questioning for no reason, sending them off to Saudi Arabia for a little torture), are a little nervous about sending their children to this country. Same goes for college students.

Not to mention the many scholars who have been denied entrance so that they could accept prestigious chairs and fellowships because they're from "Axis of Evil" countries or once advocated a position that the Bushistas didn't like.

We're devolving into a second-world country at an alarming rate.

[Benhurst]

2. America under Bush* has become a

"It's-not-a-nice-place-to-visit-and-I-wouldn't-want-to-live-there" sort of place.

[blogbear]

5. People vacationing are looking for sun and fun... not hot air, ill will,

unreasonable demands, and INtolerance!

[Stevious]

12. that's why...

I won't be vacationing in any Red States this year.

[blogbear]

24. Don't blame you even though I and millions of others would not only

welcome you but do you the right (as in correct) way! Some of us who aren't 'in the money but deep in the red' know about what is meant by hospitality, service, putting out a welcome, and otherwise being 'gentile'..Don't blame you for your feelings as I share them..but it might be a good time for us to learn not only 'who' our friends are but 'where' they are also..I have a feeling that 'we' are everywhere!

[getmeouttahere]

48. WE indeed ARE everywhere...

it's just that the only thing the neo-cons & their allies on the religious right understand is power and money. Which is why I believe massive boycotts would work...but obviously it has to be well-coordinated

[Stevious]

85. well...

I don't know about massive boycotts, but buy blue might be an appropriate response. http://www.buyblue.org

We took two ski vacations this year, and while we could have gone to Colorado or Utah, we chose instead to go further north. One week in Whistler, BC, Canada, and a second week at Mt. Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. Next year we're looking at Banff and Val d'Isere.

[getmeouttahere]

87. Sounds lovely!

[blogbear]

137. Indeed and welcome to DU!

[blogbear]

135. Whew I'm glad you said that..What GREAT ideas for fun! I think I'll think

about Banff first..That sounds wonderful!

[AuntiBush]

142. Yes! Let's STOP assuming "We" are the Minority!

We are not! We "are" everywhere. Why do you think the "propoganda-machine" is hell bent on proving otherwise... great point.

Just buy blue. On note to the original post: I never thought I'd say this, but does anyone blame the international travelers, much less us blue-minded folks.

And, for those McD's, well... they deserve the snubs for financially backing up the shrub!. Let's see how long they continue to back up Chimp & Company when their $ is shrinking.

[blogbear]

146. Regarding your last remark: "It is a sad human failing when a full

pocketbook groans louder than an empty stomach"..FDR
FDR saw them for what they were and he was correct. $ has historically been the only thing the RW cared about..This is as true today as ever before..

[marmar]

139. Amen to that.

It's Europe, Canada and California for me.

[kineneb]

144. Thanks, from California

Come visit scenic Lake county, we are off the beaten track and are very nice.

[getmeouttahere]

166. Is that where Clear Lake is?

My late Grandfather used to live there...nice!

[kineneb]

172. Yup.

And the lake is much cleaner than it used to be. With all the rain we have had, it will be full for much of the summer. Come see us!

[raccoon]

60. There's certainly an abundance of hot air around in the US,

especially in Washington. And year-round, not just in summer.

[AuntiBush]

143. You can say that again! And Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[raccoon]

164. Thank you, thank you. nt

[joeunderdog]

133. Welcome to the US, now bend over...

while we cavity search you. be sure to leave your finger prints and a DNA sample with the goon at the metal detector.

come back and see us real soon!

[Auntie Bush]

7. Yeah, You might get scooped up for taking a picture of some

building an get rendered...never to be seen again!

[Toots]

62. We don't need no stinkin' turists..we be 'murkins and superior to everyone

Why doesn't the world just bow down to us like we expect?

[alfredo]

124. A friend from Poland wanted to move to the US, but Bush and

his policies, the paranoia, the Christian Right has dissuaded him from immigrating. He believes the US becoming a police state.

[Mountainman]

4. Maybe the corporations involved should stop contributing to repubs

and help get Dems elected who will have a more favorable foreign policy.

[yardwork]

136. The corporations are largely responsible for the mess we're in

They funded chimpy and his pals and they run the media outlets that promote chimpy's lies.

It's kind of an irony of capitalism, ain't it?

[havocmom]

6. So, will the huge corporate hotels & restaurants start laying off

the cheap illegal labor they exploit and profit from?

[giant_robot]

8. The only way things are going to get better...

...is if big business takes a hit in the pocketboook. After all, they own this president.

[Minstrel Boy]

9. I won't visit, and I love to visit.

And even if I wanted to now, I may not be allowed to cross the border.

[liberal N proud]

10. Just going through the airport security would be enough

to keep most from coming to America
I was traveling with my family this week end and it was totally stupid at the checkpoint.
The youngest didn't have to take off her shoes, but her mother who had on very similar shoes had to take hers off. :banghead:

We joked after we got through security that someday we should just walk up and strip and put all our clothes on the X-Ray belt and walk through the metal detector.
The way it is now you are nearly naked when they get through. and they give you such a shit ass attitude when you don't get your keys, belt, shoes, suit case, purse, jacket, camera, watch and what ever else off the belt in 3 seconds.
I fly several times a year but this weekend just seemed more difficult than previous and with ridiculous things.

I don't blame people for seeing other parts of the world rather than this fascist state.

[GodlessBiker]

11. I would think, however, that more Americans are vacationing in the US

and not visiting other parts of the world. Perhaps this partially cancels out a loss of foreign tourists.

[DBoon]

15. And this may be what they want

fewer foreign visitors, fewer Americans visiting other countries, means fewer Americans with any outside standard against which to compare life in the US.

If you have no idea how other people live, you have no idea how low you have sunk

[getmeouttahere]

19. Amen to that, Dboon

traveling to other countries is EXACTLY how I discovered that many other people have it pretty darn good!

[GodlessBiker]

61. Yes, I agree.

[xxqqqzme]

83. my son is on his first european

vacation. I am anxious 2 hear his impressions when he returns in 2 weeks.

[getmeouttahere]

88. Yes, please share them with us!

[Mad_Dem_X]

102. God, this is SO becoming like "1984"

I'm really getting frightened...:scared:

[KitSileya]

21. I wouldn't think that Americans can afford to vacation,

considering the state of the economy!

Also, most of the rest of the developed world get a lot more vacation time than Americans in general (not counting *, of course, he beats even teachers! :P) It takes time to travel, even today, whether you go from Seattle to New York City or whether you go from Amsterdam to Boston.

[getmeouttahere]

37. For sure, fewer of us can go on vacations....

myself included, but I am going to wait longer and go to other countries until things change for the better around here...and stay in California and go to wine country or something

[bennywhale]

72. Still the richest population

on the planet however

[Morose]

96. Is this true still?

Not sure how we're calculating wealth...average, median, mode? My impression when I was in Europe was that many places had a higher standard of living and were earning higher average wages...and getting more vacations.

I was also under the impression that more Fortune 500 Companies were now located outside of the US...or is my impression incorrect? I'm sure someone has the data handy (at work so can't verify atm).

[bennywhale]

107. Europe may have a better

standard of living, but America is still by far the richest nation per capita. The europeans just distribute it better, and they do have more vacations.

I suppose they just have less billionaires poor people

[marmar]

140. I thought Germany...

had a higher per capita than the U.S.?

[bennywhale]

148. Germany is fucked

at the moment. It may have in the late 80s early nineties but its got 9 million unemployed, and is in bad shape

[getmeouttahere]

150. Maybe so....

but at least if you lose your job in Germany, you won't lose your home. We may not agree with their socialist system, but at least they have a social safety net...which we could do better than any country in the world, if we wanted to, without raising taxes. It's all about priorities!

[bennywhale]

161. You're

absolutely right. Another thing you'll notice if you go to Germany, they may have 9 million unemployed, and an economy in bad shape, but you won't see any homeless people, or see much crime.

They may have less billionaires, but hey like you say. Priorities. I know where mine would lie.

[getmeouttahere]

167. I was thinking exactly that....

and you beat me to the punch, bennywhale, which is fine with me...as long as someone says it!

Of course, the only people that care whether there are more billionaires (or, indeed, millionaires) are Bush & the billionaires. The rest of the world gets it, why can't Americans wake up???

[Bridget Burke]

22. Yes, but will Americans who can't afford to go overseas....

Spend as much as those who are not using a currency going down the toilet?

[Zorra]

13. Bush should write a book: 1001 ways

to destroy a national economy.

[etherealtruth]

77. May we shorten your title to "1001 Ways ...

...to Destroy a Nation" ?

[triguy46]

14. They hate us for our freedom

[bennywhale]

26. Not to give Osama Bin Laden

any credit considering he's such a murdering bastard, but i had to laugh at one of his bizarre TV addresses before the US elections.

It was directed at the American people so probably wasn't shown on any stations.

He said referring to Bush "He says we hate you for your freedom. Well let him tell you why we didn't attack Sweden"

[MountainLaurel]

111. That's great

Somehow I missed that one.

:rofl:

[bennywhale]

121. Read it in the

"New Internationalist"

[reprobate]

114. Please share your information. Where is proof bin Ladin acted on his own?

Considering the fact that the bin Ladins and the bushes have been close friends and business partners for two generations, and considering the fact that bin Ladin has been a paid operative of the CIA since raygun, and guess who headed the CIA at the time and has been a big part of it since?

Also you might take into account the fact that NOTHING of what the administration has done would have been possible without the occurrance of 9/11, and that the PNAC documents called for a "new American Pearl Harbor" in order to accomplish their plans. And bush had planned since he took office to invade Iraq. Their plans have been at work for a decade or more.

No, bennywhale, I can't accept the notion that bin Ladin, on his own, perpetrated this attack. In order for ALL the ALL the involve American agencies to have fucked up in just the right way at just the right time for the attack to succeed required coordination and planning that bin Ladin would not have had access to. Only americans would have been in the proper positions at the time to do maximum damage.

Some might argue for LIHOP, but I, looking at all the above must lean toward MIHOP.

There is absolutely NOTHING that I would put past the republicans, including TREASON and MASS MURDER.

Of course, your opinions may vary.

[bennywhale]

120. I didn't mention 9/11

i said he was a murdering bastard. Which he is

[SlavesandBulldozers]

128. correction

they're not "republicans".

great post though.

[Megahurtz]

69. Freedom? Here? Not anymore!

Be fucking serious.

[getmeouttahere]

16. As long as we are vacationing in blue states!

The red states must be boycotted! Of course, aside from Florida, I'm sure that won't be a problem for most of us. The last few months have only solidified my feeling that California should "separate" from the rest of the country! A guy can dream.

[xxqqqzme]

84. put me on that

separate bandwagon.

[getmeouttahere]

17. Trust me, they don't hate us for our freedom....

not anymore, anyway...because it's an illusion

[Solly Mack]

18. Want a better image? Treat people better...

We have the image we deserve. Harsh, but true.

[bennywhale]

20. I want to visit the US

but won't. I'm a Brit and have had a desire to vist America which has completely vanished. This is due to the treatment of foreigners at airports i have read about. Intitially you are fingerprinted like a criminal on entering the US.

Further i read a report of a British IT consultant who travelled to America on holiday with his young family. He was white so this wasn't a case of racial profiling which btw is enough to put anyone off.

Anyway he was arrested at the airport as he gave his details to customs or immigration. He was put in handcuffs, legcuffs, a head brace and a board was fixed between his abdomen and his face to keep him in one position (quite routine i gather). He was detained like this for twelve hours and questioned for four. The reason for his arrest?

He'd taken a hire car back late in Jordan and hadn't paid the excess while on holiday there the previous year.

His frightened family (wife and two little girls) were left in the airport with no information as to what was happening. Needless to say they booked on the first flight back to the UK without having their holiday and won;t be going back.

Since 9/11 reports of this nature have become common which is enough to be putting people off including myself.

Bush constantly says the terrorists want to destroy our freedom and civilisation. Well bushy they can't, they can only kill people, WE are the only ones who can destroy our civilisation and we are.

[getmeouttahere]

29. Well stated, bennywhale....

I encourage you to confine your holidays to the whole of the world besides the U.S. until such time as our government has regained its collective sanity...meantime, I will try to make it over to the British Isles and Europe as much as I can, despite the strong state of the pound making it quite expensive...it is still worth it, even just to get out of here for a short while!

[bennywhale]

35. You wanna come quick

cos Blair and the more authoritarian in the cabinet are launching a full scale assault of British Liberties we've held since the Magna Carta in the 12th Century, including haebeas corpus and the right to a trial by jury. Next is compulsory biometric ID Cards (fucking iris image). These have thus far been nobly resisted by the other parties and hopefully Blair is on his last legs.

Anyway do come. If you're worries about the strength of the pound i'll buy you a pint.

[getmeouttahere]

39. Beauty! Sounds like a plan....

I miss riding the Tube, attending West End shows, etc., it's been 2 years since my last visit, and that was a business trip to London & Lisbon too, but I was laid off my job of 10 years and my life hasn't been the same since...but I will make it back there, as soon as I can!

[bennywhale]

67. IF YOU WANNA SEE PROPER ENGLAND

head up North.

Far too many Americans i speak to confine themselves to London. I'm sure you'll find the North Fascinatingly different to London (if you can understand what we're saying).

And don't listen to Londeners "Its grim up North" attitude. This may be true of the old industrial heartlands, but these are still friendly and interesting places to visit.

Furthermore we've got proper beer up North

[getmeouttahere]

89. Lovely! Farthest north I have been is the Cotswolds...

And now I'm not even sure if that is north...it is, isn't it?

Also went to Salisbury & Stonhenge once...nothing short of awe-inspiring.

[bennywhale]

105. That is still well south

Although classed by Southerners as North bizarelly.

The East Coast mainline out of London heading North will take you to York, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne within 3 to 4 hours, its the fastest line in the country.

All three places are beautiful. York used to be the capital of England and was originally a viking settlement. Its old Town is on the river and is a fantastic place.

Durham, an hour or so further North is an ancient town and has the grandest cathedral in England. It was built by william the Conquerer's son over 900 years ago and was voted by European Artitechts the best building in Europe a few years back. The whole city (its ancient so tiny. within city walls type tiny) is built on a hill with a river looping round it like a moat and also has a castle which is now part of the university.

Newcastle to the North of that is an old industrial city. Shipbuilding and Coal mining, so has suffered alot the last 30 years. Oh and the inventor of the steam engine (train) was from here. Its old town has recently been completely done up and the architecture is amazing. But the best part about this place are the people. Loud mouthed, foulmouthed, heavy drinking, funny, friendly, welcoming and brilliant. They are dynamite, and they'll blow you away, they're full of life.

I think i should work for the Tourist board.

Oh and the Beers better.

[getmeouttahere]

149. These do sound fun....

especially the cathedral...I was awestruck by Salisbury Cathedral, so I can't wait to see this one.

Perhaps you should work for the tourism board!

Thanks for the tips, and cheers!

[amazona]

106. spin your compass around

The Cotswolds are not in the north! :-)

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[amazona]

63. oh come on this is not going to happen

Probably all that the U.S. knew is that they had a guy wanted for stealing a car. Considering the description of how he was held, the U.S. may have mistakenly believed him to be a violent criminal such as a carjacker rather than a jerk who just "forgot" to return his rental car. OK, that is bad, I agree. But... There are mistakes made in every country. How about the U.K. citizen who was just arrested and held in prison in UAE for 7 weeks because her urine tested positive for a codeine medication and she couldn't find her prescription. Sheesh. I bet there has even been a mistake or two made at UK customs. You can't live your life worrying about such things or you would never go anywhere. I was brought up hearing all the tales of horror of what happened to people who visited Mexico and how they were all tossed into jail on the slightest pretence. It is hysteria. Yes, anyone can have bad luck. You can stay home and have bad luck too.

No one should miss out on the unique experience of visiting the United States because of exaggerated fears. I've been patted down, searched, had my luggage tested for bomb residue, not once but many times. Civilization did not fall, and my liberty was not impacted. My partner's passport had a "hold" on it, and they had to check him out to make sure he wasn't the bad guy they were looking for. It took some time, sure, but there were no cuffs and headboard, come on! Even the people in the "hard" part of the secondary area were not cuffed like that -- or at all that I saw. I have to strongly suspect that for the individual in question to be secured like that, he must reacted violently when questioned at Customs about the "alert" on his passport.

If you know you owe a fine for theft of an auto, maybe take care of that and then cross foreign borders. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

If YOU are afraid to travel, YOU are the one who has circumscribed your own freedom to go the places you want. Plenty of other UK citizens visit the U.S. every day just fine and they are getting some fantastic deals too on the weak dollar. So...your fear is causing you to miss out.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[bennywhale]

71. The UEA is not

a democratic free nation as the US is supposed to be.

And regardless of what they thought he'd done what he HAD done is fail to pay the excess on a hire car on the other side of the world. Nothing to do with the US.

I will not travel to a country to be fingerprinted and interrogated like a criminal with the possibility i may be spirited away to some unknown country for more detailed 'questioning'. This has happened to people visiting the US, they are held for weeks and months and the US sub-contracts out its torture on such people, to 'friendly' dictatorships around the world.

I personally wouldn't put my family's safety or happiness in the hands of US immigration.

I've travelled the world extensively from the borderless EU, to China, Russia, the far East and Africa. I have never been fingerprinted and interrogated, and some of these countries often face great threats from terrorism such as Russia.

What happened to this guy was not fucking civilised behaviour.

LOOK OUT suspected tourist.

[amazona]

109. well if you've never been questioned you've just been lucky

Every time I go through the Netherlands I am questioned (interrogated if you must put it so negatively) about what I was doing there, etc. I am fairly confident they're in the "borderless" EU. I was secondary'd in France as well and everything opened and searched, blah de blah. If you can't tolerate some checking of who you are and what you're doing there, you shouldn't be crossing international borders.

I agree that in the U.S. as well as in Jordan if you fail to return a rental car, it is considered to be a very serious crime, auto theft. We take that seriously here. Hell, we've advanced considerably, in times gone by we used to shoot horse thieves. I still don't believe the individual in question was secured in the manner you describe unless he acted violently toward the immigration officials who examined him. Like I said, I've had a look into the "hard" area, and while some of the detained looked scary indeed, no one was detaining them in the manner you describe.

If you want to deprive yourself of visiting the United States because of preconceived notions, in the end, it is a choice you made. And it is my choice to think you're being silly. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. But your fear of the United States cheats you of seeing the truth with your eyes. It is not the Wild West out here, but an imperfect country like all others. For someone who travels to Russia to say, I will not put myself in the hands of U.S. immigration, well you have to expect :eyesroll:

And the fact remains that MOST tourists don't agree with you, since foreign visitors to the U.S. is UP 12 percent in a year. Seems unrealistic to expect more.

I notice on your list of places visited that you don't list ANYWHERE in the Americas, north, Central, or south, and I have to wonder if two decades worth of scare stories about our region have played their part. I find it hard to believe that the Americas are more hazardous to the tourists than Russia or Africa, sorry. I think it is all perception and a matter of getting out of your comfort zone.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[bennywhale]

119. America itself is of course

not more dangerous than Russia or parts of Africa.

But i'm a principled person, and will not visit a country sliding back to the dark ages in terms of Liberty.

Power is also important. If i was detained in an African country for no reason i have every confidence the British Embassy coiuld secure my release.

America has risen above international law and now operates in a twilight zone. Violating countries soveriegnty (crossed into Bosnia to kidnap suspected terrorist) or making people literally vanish. The power America is ensures absolutely no comeback.

If a Western Tourist was detained by authorities in a developing country somewhere and vanished, or was mistreated severely there would be some serious recourse. This recourse simply does not exist with the US and they can operate with impunity. Imagine if an American tourist was imprisoned by an African country without charge. There'd be an international incident.

Yopu as an American citizen may feel safe from your authorities cos you have rights (apparently0 Citizens of other countries have no such rights.

Thats what makes America most dangerous country for the traveller, nothing to do with any wild west nonsense.

[SidDithers]

103. Fear has nothing to do with it...

Many are choosing to travel elsewhere because they don't like what the United States has become, not because they are afraid of ending up in a Syrian jail cell.

And, as the article implies, if "Brand America" suffers a backlash, will it be long before McDonald's and Coke start experiencing the same thing?

Sid

[amazona]

110. obviously many are NOT choosing to travel elsewhere

I don't doubt that some people are talking large, but what part of international visitors to the U.S. are up 12 percent in 2004 is especially unclear?

The conclusions drawn by the writer are not premised on reality. We are getting our fair share and more of international travel. The U.S. travel industry would like to get it all. That won't happen. The world has more places that are more accessible to more people now. But a 12 percent increase in one's industry in one year is pretty darn good in this economy.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[NJCher]

64. not "we"

"We" the people have nothing to do with this. It's bush who is destroying our civilization.

Cher

[bennywhale]

78. "WE"

are letting it happen

[amazona]

116. "we" have little control over it

George Bush is as fascinated and interested in what I have to say about how to run things as I'm sure Tony Blair is whenever you offer an idea about how to improve the UK. National leaders do not sit down and listen to the little people. A democracy is what we are striving for but it is not in fact what we already have. The United States is a work in progress. Blaming "we" instead of the folks actually responsible for the problem is not useful. Everyone here has protested, written letters, signed the petitions, given money and time, etc. So it just doesn't seem quite fair to say that "we" are responsible when "we" are doing all that it is legal and possible to make peaceful change.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[bennywhale]

118. Evil occurs and

tyranny occurs when good men stand idle. The quote is along those lines.

Its time to stand up and be counted

[amazona]

126. no one is standing idle

However, peaceful change does not come quickly, and the media is more interested in "Runaway Bride." Stick around, you'll see that folks are doing plenty, it just doesn't appear on the six o-clock news.

A civil war would not encourage visitors to the U.S. nor would such instability be a good thing for other nations of the world, so peaceful change is the only alternative.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[bennywhale]

130. Posting on a

forum where everyone has the same opinions does not bring about change.

[amazona]

156. if you think all the folks do here is post...

...then you haven't been paying attention.

People have been organizing, regularly talking to and meeting with politicians, protesting, giving of their time and money until it hurts, even running for public office.

There has been a disturbing effort on the site for some posters to discourage travel, especially air travel. Being confident in your ability to travel is a KEY part of being able to attend protests, conferences, and to just plain educate yourself about the U.S. and the world. I don't feel that spreading fear of air travel is good for the Democratic Party or good for the activists. So I do my bit as a frequent flyer to encourage people to keep flying and to help the nervous flyer know what to expect. I am definitely going to challenge claims that people can expect to be cuffed and chained to a board at immigration. If I'm a bit over-passionate on this topic, well, that's why. If we can't travel, we are less effective. Period.

I feel that you have bad information and you're afraid to see for yourself what the reality is. If you rely on the mass media for your views of America, you are going to be sadly mis-informed.

I don't agree with the post, "Germany is fucked" either. Why so negative? When I compare a city like New Orleans and a city like Munich, there is no question which city is richer -- and not by a little bit, but by a lot. Germany is not "fucked." It is not realistic in a high-tech world to expect everyone to have a job. My partner works on robots and computer programs that, yeah, take people's jobs. Whole factories can now operate with a skeleton crew. This is the reality for the foreseeable future, that humans will insist on inventing ways to stop working and put the work on the backs of the machines. Sooner or later, we are ALL, yes, the UK too, going to have to figure out a way to live in the post-employment economy. Germany is leaps and strides ahead of the U.S. in providing social support to unemployed, and the incredible wealth of that nation, at least in the face it shows to the visitor, is absolutely amazing. I visited Bavaria, so perhaps other parts of the country are not so wealthy, but this area was so wealthy it makes Louisiana look like the third world!

I saw all the news item about how Germany has failed too. However, just a few days walking around was enough to show that the news is a pack of lies.

There is no substitute for "being there" in my humble opinion. There is too much propaganda on the news trying to put forward a right-wing backwards point of view. But the bubble of lies pops fast when you see for yourself.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[bennywhale]

162. Perhaps fucked is

a bit of a simplistic explanation but i was in a rush when writing the post.

I was answering a question about average per capita wealth, not about distribution, and was merely pointing out the Germany economy is stagnant, which is a fact. This is due in part to its generous social security which it is now trying to address.

You may have misinterpreted my view of Germany by me saying it was "fucked". Socially it is a fantastic place, and Bavaria is i agree, and particularly Munich, a very wealthy region. East Germany however is not, and has still not brought itself up to the level of West Germany since the fall of the Berlin Wall. And this is where much of Germany's problems stem from. A country with a generous socialist, and thriving economy, suddenly taking in millions from a communist nation during re-unification.

I'm British so have far less problem identifying myself as a committed socialist, i was simply pointing to German problems.

Another problem for Germany, like France is its (relatively) insular looking economy. Both countries have invested and strived to save 'national champions' such as car manufacturers which is commendable, however they have done this do the detriment of their economies.

To see a fully fledged European socialist country succeeding visit Sweden. Sweden takes more FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)than any other country in the world, but mixes this with strong work regulations, good standard pay, fifty percent tax (approx) and the most wide reaching socialist programmes in Europe. This has been the case for fifty years and the Swedes continue to have one of the highest standards of living on the Planet.

Clean, Safe, egalitarian, Beautiful Sweden. You must visit.

On air travel. I travel extensively by air throughout Europe mainly. Are you encouraging travel in America to broaden the mind or worldwide. Cos i don't think travelling around England would broaden my mind as much as it does worldwide.

On travel to the US. I stick by my previous assertions in my other post. I will not put my safety or my families safety in the hands of the most powerful nation on Earth, as i am not an American citizen and do not have guaranteed safeguards against it such as you do. Not while the Bush administration is operating in a twilight zone of human rights and international law with impunity.

I get my information from a wide variety of sources, i read them all and make my own mind up. That story i was refering to was from the 'New Internationalist'. Not exactly mass media.

I am encouraged that people are not just winging and are being active. However, the debate compared with the 60s, and 70s, worldwide (and also the 80's in Britain) is unsophisticated, lacks depth, and lacks action. Its just a bit disheartening thats all.

[CAcyclist]

129. I agree, it doesn't seem quite fair, however,

I have been active since the late eighties trying to tell anyone who would listen that "they" (the neocons,etal) are trying to turn this country into a third world nation.

It is quite frustrating to me to see people essentially give up after very little effort - and a few months or even years of campaigning is very little effort in my book - this fight has barely begun, people are only now waking up, change doesn't occur overnight - just because it doesn't seem like we have any control doesn't mean that our efforts are meaningless.

[KoKo]

23. Religious Skywriters in Florida filling the skies with "Praise Jesus...

Jesus Loves You" turned me off in April when I was down there for two weeks. Who wants to go to the beach to relax and be harrassed by these skywriters putting out religious messages.

It was a big turnoff. West Palm Beach/Boca Raton area was where it was going on....:-(

[getmeouttahere]

31. OMG!!! And the thing is, you hear a lot about....

how liberals and heathens are supposedly "polluting" our culture (and one could argue that we wouldn't have any culture if it was up to the religious fanatics) but you don't see us flying skywriters like that!

[struggle4progress]

125. Florida will be more exciting when the serious shooting starts.

Tourists will flock there for the thrill of nearly getting plugged by an armed psycho.

The religious messages will dovetail nicely with the "sudden death" atmosphere.

[KoKo]

138. OMG...I think you were being "tongue in cheek" satirical...here..I hope!

:D or :-(

[struggle4progress]

147. I won't be spending any tourist dollars in Florida soon, since I don't ..

.. want to be ventilated, and I'm making a point of telling everybody I know that gunslinging seems to be making a fashion comeback down there. :evilgrin:

[itcfish1]

25. And The Tourists

who do come are treated poorly by many. I experienced this in a NY Subway, There were English Tourist on the subway and two people came in pushed them and called them stupid. I was angry and said, They are tourists and you should be nice to them since they do spend their money here in NY. They could care less.

[Robworld]

27. This doesn't shock me at all

I imagine Bush winning the 2004 election was a major turn off for foreign tourist.
Just the thought of a country reelecting that man must turn them off from us.

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com

[booksenkatz]

38. Your website is fabulous

Can't wait to see the book!

Welcome to DU!
:hi:

[Robworld]

101. Thank you very much

Drop me an e-mail at my website, so we can e-mail when the site is updated

Thanks again

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com/

[Griffy]

86. bush didnt win the election.. please dont participate in echo chamber!

bush stole the election, not won it.. the words are important, and I know many Americans don't want to think about the fact that the prez of their country is not the elected leader... even Putin knows this! So please use accurate terms, because if we here at DU can even get it right, we will never get the population to understand the broken election system... and thus we will never fix it! Awareness of the problem is the 1st step!

Help promote election '00 '02 and '04 fraud awareness!

[Roland99]

28. Well, when stuff like *this* happens....is it any wonder?

Bush Gets Tough Queries From Youths in Holland
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-dutch9may09,0,2511422.story?coll=la-home-headlines

The next question — the last heard by reporters or included in the White House transcript — concerned the cost of the Iraq war.

The unidentified questioner noted that the U.S. had been involved in "a lot of wars," and wondered about the impact on Americans at home.

She said she had recently received a brochure seeking donations for poor people in the United States and asked Bush: "What's the balance between the responsibility to the world and the responsibility to your own people?"

<...>

Media were then asked to leave, though the meeting, held in a window-lined room at a glorious chateau near Maastricht, went on for another half-hour.

[getmeouttahere]

34. What???? Seeking donations for poor people in the U.S.???

If we, as the richest nation in the world, cannot take care of our own poor people, well...the rest of the world should be saying, "to hell with you, work it out for yourselves" If our government wants to unilaterally invade other countries, we can unilaterally take care of our own poor people, too...

[Theres-a]

44. Amen!

Welcome to DU!

[bennywhale]

81. That is spooky

the quote from Bush saying "the governments MOST IMPORTANT duty is to protect its people from harm, is almost word for word what Blair says when he's dismantling civil liberties here in Britain.

Its all far too similar to George Orwells continuous war in '1984'.

We are taking away your freedom so you can be free from terror.

Just love political language

[oblivious]

30. It's about time the tourism and airline industries spoke up about this.

They're sitting back missing great opportunities because they feel they have to support the president on this phoney war on terror.

Republicans do what business wants. They need to use their power to try to put an end to this farce. The low dollar could have been the greatest thing that ever happened to them. Fools.

My city of 7 million (Hong Kong) gets 20 million visitors a year. The entire US gets only about 50% more than that last time I looked. (I notice they don't give the figure in this article). That's ridiculous! It's just plain wrong.

[Lorien]

32. With the dollar being so low

our image is really the only reason tourism isn't what it used to be.I live near Disney World, and tourism is slightly up there (since 2001), but only because the Euro is so strong.

[yurbud]

33. write these guys and tell them to support progressives

[yurbud]

36. CONTACT INFO for Travel Industry Assoc. (tell to support left)

Travel Industry Association of America
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450,
Washington, DC 20005-3934,
202.408.8422, Fax [phone]
[e-mail]

[yurbud]

40. More reasons progressives better for travel industry?

[yurbud]

41. alternative fuels over oil=cheaper travel

The GOP's oil only policy and near refusal to invest in research and switching over to other fuels means transportation will continue to get more expensive until it becomes prohibitive for most people to travel for pleasure.

This could be a good pitch to airlines too.

[getmeouttahere]

43. Good thinking, yurbud....

I am already curtailing my travel by car, mostly because I don't want to give the oil companies any more of my money than I absolutely have to....

[reprobate]

104. You're right, yurbud, but I think it will be too late for the airlines.

At least for the american airlines. Europe and japan and china have, or will have hi-speed rail, which will mitigate the problems somewhat, but here in the good ol' USA, the airline industry has enough power to stop any attempt at a senseable transportation plan.

[getmeouttahere]

42. Conservatives are less likely to travel abroad anyway....

and when they do, they are more likely to be the typical "ugly americans" oh, the stories I have in that department!!!

[Cobalt Violet]

45. These American brands have been giving their money to the war mongers.

Boo freakin' hoo.


"the long-term impact for American brands Coca-Cola, General Motors, McDonald's could be very damaging,”

:woohoo:
:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :rofl: :rofl: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :woohoo:

[Laughing Mirror]

46. George Bush needs to do a TV ad, like Poppy did during last war

It aired in France and I would imagine all over Europe, extolling the virtues of seeing the USA in your Chevrolet, or something along those lines. It reminded me of those commercials on TV in the 1970s with Mayor Beame, like a carnival barker and a Broadway chorus on stage all singing, "I Love New York."

The Europeans I know who brave the friendly skies to America, go to look at a few buildings and maybe buy a few rags or electronics. With the dollar low, and low-cost hotels, New York City has become just another shopping bazaar.

[JustJill]

47. Oh, the poor abused multi-nationals

“If we don't address these issues in tourism, the long-term impact for American brands Coca-Cola, General Motors, McDonald's could be very damaging"

Karma's a bitch

[getmeouttahere]

52. Amen...like so many of these morons are fond of saying...

"you reap what you sow"

[Megahurtz]

73. Yeah,waaaaa!

:cry:My heart just bleeds for all of them.:sarcasm:

[bleedingheart]

49. Well when you have morons with anti-French stickers on their cars

I don't blame foreigners for going elsewhere with their money.

[getmeouttahere]

50. Exactement, mon ami...but remember...

those folks with the "boycott the french" bumper stickers were probably not buying anything french in the first place...they just are stupid enough to think that they were influence OUR decisions

[bleedingheart]

53. perhaps they don't buy French goods but it is still offensive to people

and it was so ludicrous that people took to calling french fries "freedom fries"...when technically french denotes the cut of the potato...that is really how dumb they are.

[getmeouttahere]

57. No doubt...it's little things like that which contribute....

to our pariah image, along with the brutality, hypocracy, theocracy, etc. I don't want to live in the same country as these people...they are an absolute embarrassment...I don't talk to my conservative family members as much anymore, I don't go out as much anymore. I tend to keep my world small and liberal...except when I can escape the country for a while

[reprobate]

108. And 'french fries' actually were invented in Belgium.

[bennywhale]

74. I really never got that

The French didn't follow the US into war so lets boycott their stuff.

I remember seeing a guy on TV saying how we were ther for them in their hour of need and they've deserted us in our hour of need.

HOUR OF NEED?

[getmeouttahere]

92. I know, you have to laugh...

or you'll cry!

[Toucano]

51. GM, McDonalds and Coca-Cola

are CONTRIBUTING to the negative image!

Hello?!

[understandinglife]

54. Improve the image: Participate and spread the word "MNA 1608" ...

.... soon to be upon us, tragically.

www.missionnotaccomplished.us

[amazona]

55. number of internat'l visitors up 12 percent and they're not happy?

Sorry, the tourism industry just has unrealistic expectations then. A 12 percent increase in visitors is a handsome increase in the number of visitors.

Many people are flying from Europe just to go shopping because the dollar is so weak they can do better shopping in New York or Miami than in London.

No one enjoys all the security hassles but to say that it has discouraged visitors is clearly untrue with increase of visitors in the double digit range!

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Rockerdem]

58. There seems to be a disconnect between the whine and the facts

These tourist company shills are whining, yet buried in the story are the facts that tourists are coming in droves. If they dont get 101% of the market, theyre not happy.

I for one would not be that sad that my favorite summer spots wont be swamped with foreigners.

[NJCher]

66. speaking as a former marketing person

Market share is the concern. The visitors are there but the market share tells the story. Despite the low dollar and "bazaar" prices, they're still going elsewhere. In all, it's a damning indictment and lends credence to the saying "you can't give it away."

U.S. goods are bargain basement yet a large share of the travelers could care less.


Cher

[amazona]

112. a larger market share is unrealistic cuz the world is bigger

In days gone by, people could not easily travel to large parts of the former Soviet Union or the China. These countries were locked behind the "iron" or "bamboo" curtain. Today, former eastern European countries and many areas of China are a favorite for the budget travel crowd. There is curiosity and pent-up demand because people couldn't go there. There is also the fact that these countries are still a very good buy for the euro or even the dollar.

Since the world is bigger, but the United States is the same size, we are a smaller piece of the pie, see? It is not realistic to expect to have the same market share as we did when Peru was closed (shining path), China was closed, Soviet Union was closed, etc. and so on.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Don Claybrook]

163. You read that wrong

The number of worldwide international travelers to ALL destinations is up by 12%. The US is DOWN.

[bunny planet]

56. But more importantly, is Bill O'Leilly still boycotting the French?

[getmeouttahere]

59. Maybe, but his followers weren't buying French anyway...

so his boycott is useless, for all intents and purposes...don't you think?

[bunny planet]

65. I forgot the smilie to go with my previous sentence.

:sarcasm:

[getmeouttahere]

68. duly noted!

[MN ChimpH8R]

90. Hope they still are

cos then there's more French wine for the rest of us :evilgrin:

[getmeouttahere]

97. Ever since the Spanish pulled out of Iraq...

I have been buying more Spanish wine...it certainly helps that it is damn good wine, every bottle, without fail

[lectrobyte]

70. It's not just tourism -- it also appears to be tougher to get visas etc.

to get in. I know that serveral technical conferences I've been involved with have had lots of overseas cancellations. So, what does it mean? Less innovation, less idea exchange, and probably a loss in investment etc. etc.

[0007]

76. Every country in the world in on to the corrupt nature of junior

and his crime cabal.

I don't blame people for not wanting to visit this country.

[amazona]

113. it should be tougher to get visas

If we can't get the information and properly clear the people, they shouldn't be getting visas. How soon we forget that four of the 9-11 hijackers were issued visas -- six months after they already died.

The procedures were bad. They needed to be fixed. If people can't prove they're who they say, then I'm not so sanguine that we need to be exchanging ideas with them on U.S. soil. Surely the internet, etc. will do just fine. It is the age of mass communication after all. If the idea is of merit, it will be heard.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[babywatson]

75. Well, gee, I thought Karen Hughes was gonna clean up our image.

Guess it's not working.

[lebkuchen]

79. Florida has to be hurting. Poor Jebbie.

Too bad, so sad.

[getmeouttahere]

93. Yeah, Boo Hoo....

Couldn't happen to a more despical person, unless it was his brother

[getmeouttahere]

94. Despicable, I mean...

[devilgrrl]

80. Why do fer'iners hate American Destination Spots?

:sarcasm:

[Geek_Girl]

82. America is owned and Operated by Corporate interests

My purchasing dollar has more impact on government than my vote.

[getmeouttahere]

95. You've hit the nail on the head there!

That's how all of us have to think

[Fovea]

91. Quel Surprize!

Many of us predicted this back in 2003, even before, when the Old Europe spin was going around.

[leesa]

98. Good. We deserve it.

"...long-term impact for American brands Coca-Cola, General Motors, McDonald's could be very damaging"

Heaven forbid these immoral sleazy companies should have their megawealth impacted!

[KamaAina]

99. Who cares what tourists think?

They mostly visit blue states anyway (NY, CA, HI, DC) so to hell with 'em! :sarcasm:

[Gregorian]

100. But America's winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis!

Not to mention their arms and legs.

[Kellanved]

115. cough* fingerprints *cough* visa *cough* mugshot *cough* privacy

Sorry, but getting treated like a criminal when entering the country isn't exactly welcoming.
Especially the lack of guarantees regarding the further use of the collected data is extremely creepy.

[moondust]

117. Fingerprints R Us.

The U.S. is accumulating the world's largest databank of human fingerprints for secret use by Alberto "Torture Ain't So Bad" Gonzales, the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, and a host of others! Come join the fun! It'll only take us a minute to make sure you don't belong in Gitmo!

[nwliberalkiwi]

122. Don't Stop In The USA

We have told our friends from overseas not to stop in the USA. This year we are taking our vacation in Canada---may sneek down to Cuba!!!

[Flammable Materials]

123. USA: A Cheap Holiday In Other People's Misery

(to quote Johnny Rotten)

[tom_paine]

127. People don't want to visit Enslaved Nations. It's depressing.

I myself am considering a trip to the Free World to restore my hope and faith for humanity.

Because none can be found in a Totalitarian Enslaved Nation like Imperial Amerika.

This makes perfect sense.

[getmeouttahere]

151. Good one, Tom Paine!

I needed the chuckle this morning...and pretty much every morning for the last 4 years!

[Deja Q]

131. Clinton is responsible! The immoral clenis is to blame!

:eyes:

Sheesh, 7 years ago... and I bet the repukes will project the idiocy of * onto Bill's flagpole... what's 7 years when those in control have the power (and the dementia) to say what they like on every major news outlet?

[lovuian]

132. Corporations have to learn the hard way!!!

Bush is YOUR MAN not ours and has he really helped you maybe in the short term but the damage long term is horrible!!!

[applegrove]

134. Bush has ruined the America. It is not a place of hope. He is an

***hole. And a fool!

[agincourt]

141. Besides the bastard GOPig gov't we have

it don't help that we overcommercialize all our tourist attractions.

[getmeouttahere]

152. Oh, that is sooooo true!

of course maybe that's what people from other countries are looking for when they come here. But I've been to Orlando and I thought it was soooo cheesy. But everybody has their own idea of what is fun or entertaining or worth seeing.

[amazona]

157. Acadiana doesn't over-commercialize

...and some of the older folks still speak the dreaded French! Check it out.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[azndndude]

145. Visit the Navajo Nation! We voted for Kerry at about 95%

The Navajo Nation has incredible scenery- The Grand Canyon,Lake Powell,Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, The Four Corners area is one of most scenic areas in the world. You can also experience the Navajo,Apache, Hopi and Pueblo Indian cultures. We vote BLUE!!!

[getmeouttahere]

153. That is actually a great idea....

let's just make sure we spend our vacation dollars ONLY in the Navajo nation...after all, it is still a red state (Arizona). I would actually be more interested in the native cultures than the scenery.

[amazona]

158. that's a terrific suggestion

This beautiful country should be seen by anyone who wants a glimpse of the old West. I've returned several times and will return again.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[getmeouttahere]

154. Consider visiting Venezuela....

and aiding the Chavez government, who only wants the right to self-determination...the power-mad U.S. government has already attempted one coup on this democratically-elected government, let's stop them from another...
www.handsoffvenezuela.org

[Stockholm]

155. I´ve actually turned down business trips to the US

and I think I´m not the only one. It´s just less of a hassle to arrange discussions/meetings with US reps when they get to Europe.

Personally I don´t care that I have nothing to hide, I still don´t want organisations x to z to process my personal information, and the stories going around about TSA(?)employees does not make a trip anymore attractive.

After all, four years will pass quickly.

[amazona]

159. I'll tell you a little story

I met a man the other day who used to visit Colombia in addition to many other countries in Latin America each year in pursuit of his hobby in Latin music and dance. In 1986 he decided that it was too dangerous to visit there any longer and he would wait a couple, three years for things to cool down. He's still waiting.

I think if you want to do something, do it now. There will never be a day when the borders are thrown open to travelers who refuse to provide some personal information. I can't enter Stockholm just on a whim without providing a passport to show who I am, right? I think it's perfectly proper for nations to want to know who they are admitting into their borders. "Stories going around" -- also known as rumors -- should always be viewed with a grain of salt. The TSA employees I've met have been perfectly professional. I've traveled plenty since 9-11, both internally and to Central America, Africa, and Europe. If you travel a lot, sometimes they have questions, sometimes you'll get patted down or searched, sometimes the dog sniffs your bags. And, guess what, I would rather have this very visible security to cut down on the copycat wanna-bees and the less competent terrorists than not. Sure, it's a nuisance, but being on the flight that was diverted by a couple dudes threatening to fly the plane into a nuclear power plant, as happened here in 1972, is a bigger nuisance. Getting blown up can ruin your whole day. People forget the lesson of the 70s. Maybe we can't protect against the most determined, most highly educated, most well-funded, most blessed by Lady Luck of the terrorists. But we can sure as hell catch the dim bulbs and the copycats that we'd otherwise be over-run with.

I'm sure your U.S. colleagues are happy that you give them an excuse to visit your beautiful country on their company's expense account. But, truly, I don't think you should hesitate to come visit over here once in awhile. You'll be fine, and you'll see things with your own eyes.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[getmeouttahere]

160. Well stated....however, not everyone has the same experience...

I logged over 200,000 air miles between 2000 & 2003 (90% after 9/11) and found the majority of TSA employees to be lacking in professionalism. That in itself shouldn't be enough to deter tourists, but although I was never questioned extensively, I saw many people of color routinely detained. Then there is the reaction of people around me in U.S. airports when they see a person wearing a muslim headdress (sorry, can't remember the correct term at the moment). Americans are going to have to do a lot more in terms of diplomacy if we want people from other countries to feel welcome again. Especially when we have the "Ugly American" syndrome playing out even louder when our obnoxious louts visit other countries. That sort of thing was bad enough BEFORE 9/11!!! I've seen it all...a women screaming on her cell phone in front of a church in Lisbon; a businessman haranging a chinese man on an airport bus in Hong Kong. These are just a few of my experiences with Americans visiting other countries. Let's just say it doesn't help our cause.

[true_notes]

165. The Stinch from the White House can be smelt...

all the way over here in Europe. There's always a pile of shit there.

[nolabels]

168. Huh? Travel, heck I can barely get out my house anymore

Look, even the people that live here in this police state are skeered :scared: or nervous about Nazi's.

Why should the foreigners be any different :shrug:

[katty]

169. Fortress America: bibles and bullshit

the rabid right would love to close the borders and get police state america running full tilt.

[jumptheshadow]

170. I was at this show

Believe me, travel industry folks of all political stripes are royally ticked off. I heard this again and again. You just don't insult your best customers gratuitously. And that's what this administration has done over and over. They have behaved arrogantly toward the countries who have consistently sent free-spending tourists to this nation. In the process, they have hurt the businesses, small and large, who have made a living catering to the French, the Germans and the Canadians.

The Bush administration is hitting their constituents in the pocketbook, and their constituents aren't liking it at all.

[getmeouttahere]

171. Interesting....thanks for that....

Does the travel & tourism industry have enough pull in politics? Doesn't matter, we as individuals have to take this upon ourselves.