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What is it with screenwriters in Hollywood?
A few years ago, the counter-terrorist agents of 24's CTU lost track of a stolen nuclear warhead in "the mountains" of Iowa. And now, in the new Star Trek movie, young Kirk bails out of his car just before it goes over a cliff...in Iowa.
I'm not sure what they're teaching in California schools these days...but it sure ain't geography.
But, in the meantime, the Iowa Department of Tourism might as well go with it...'cause perception is reality.
...but somebody has to do it.
Word from Australia yesterday has it that New South Wales Tourism Minister Jodi McKay has quarantined herself after returning home on a flight from Los Angeles on which some passengers tested positive for swine flu.
This thing isn't going away...
Let's not attract visitors to our Visitor Information Centers.
Apparently, that's the thinking of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, which has just banned non-profit organizations from hosting welcome events at Interstate rest stops. A spokesperson from the DOT says events like these sometimes adds to traffic congestion at the rest stops.
Hey Sparky...isn't that the whole point of a Welcome Center?
Of course not...because you don't see it as a Welcome Center. You see it as a set of toilets.
Sigh.
Photo Credit: Clearly Ambiguous
Testifying on the hill last week, Air Transport Association EVP John Meenan said (with a straight face) that “airports must resist treating air travelers as the equivalent of an ATM.”
Like the airlines haven't been?
That sound you just heard? That would be my drink squirting out my nose.
Thanks to Tripso for the catch.
That sensationally regal and ultimately powerful iconic image of Che Guevara. Did he pose for that? I mean, how else could he have become an image as powerful as that?
Turns out (according to Tim Manners channeling a book review in the New York Times), the photo that was the basis for the symbol that now adorns anything that aspires to be subversive (including, at times, my laptop wallpaper) was taken at a funeral in 1960.
Did they have Photoshop then (not)...or did they just copy the hell out of the photo over and over til they got the image they so wanted?
And one that so worked.
In an iGroup News story from last week, Phoenix CVB CEO Steve Moore tells of a recent banking convention at his Convention Center that asked him not to post their event on the reader board.
From the article: "Call it the bailout’s shhhh effect. Businesses and associations, painfully aware of the beating some companies have taken for extravagant gatherings during the financial meltdown, are starting to go incognito."
Instead...some meetings are posting their sponsor's names in hopes that attendees will find their way to the sessions that way.
Sigh...
Thanks to Greg Ruby for the TweetTip.
Best Western has a image problem. Because of its corporate operating structure, it is more difficult for the mothership to yank the flag of an embarrassing property than with most hotel brands. Thus, the adage of "one bad apple" rings pretty true.
They've just taken their lemon (I know I'm mixing my fruits here) and made a marvelous lemonade with this video for their BusinessPlus program.
Last I checked, the video had been viewed over 21,000 times on several YouTube posts.
Thanks to Steve Hall at AdGabber for the catch.
OK...so yesterday we shared the new AAA numbers that indicate that Memorial Day Travel should be up this year over last. And, that kinda supports the Y Partnership findings that intent to travel is up 8 points over this time last year.
Now AP-gFK Roper have released a study that indicates a third of us have already canceled a trip because of financial concerns.
Looks like a case of the Mind saying "yes" while the Wallet says "no, no, no."
Can you say schizophrenia, boys and girls? I knew you could.
My friend Matt Lyle (AAA) shared some encouraging data from their most recent survey of the American Traveler. And following the Y Partnership report that intent to travel over the next 6 months is up (waaay up), this is even better news.
The average distance that Americans will travel this coming weekend is roughly 300 miles one way. That's more than I think most of us would have thought. Average spending: $1000. And nearly 60% of us will visit friends and relatives.
We'll travel by car (83%) rather than fly (7%). And I guess the rest of us will walk.
Delta (the world's largest air carrier...in case they hadn't reminded you of that fourteen times on your last flight) recently suggested they'd be willing to start paying commissions to travel agents again.
Which is, just...kinda funny. Since they were the first to stop the age-honored system over a decade ago.
Guess you kinda need agents again, eh?
But, before all is forgiven...let's check the fine print.
• Only if the agency has an "existing sales relationship." (Ummm...haven't most said FU)?
• It's only for departures at 5 New York airports...and only on flights to the Caribbean, Central and South America. Oh, yea...and Mexico.
Does Delta really think the industry is a) that stupid and b) doesn't remember its past?
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