The US Travel Association's recent selection of Paco Saldana as the "Face of Tourism" makes a lot of sense. As I've been saying for years, economic impact statistics mean little to stakeholders and politicians. The personal stories of success (especially from those that had started from nothing) are what captures attention.
But, I have so never understood the whole concept behind Miss Tourism Pageants. I mean, really, outside of being eye-candy for sponsoring tourism officials, what is the ROI for such a process?
Especially when it kinda goes bad. Like with a former Miss Toronto Tourism...who was recently charged with 19 weapons and drug charges, including possession of a Glock with hollow-point bullets.
Or maybe not...as Sudbury Sun columnist Mike Stroebel said, "At least Americans might stop thinking we're dull."
For every pageant there's a host hotel.
http://www.firstrowproductions.com
Posted by: M.A. | August 18, 2009 at 11:00
You got me there...
Posted by: Bill Geist | August 19, 2009 at 07:01