Indonesian politicians are suggesting a new law that would bar unmarried couples from having sex. One wonders what measures they will use to ascertain which unmarried couples actually do the dirty deed while sharing a bed.
But, good news for tourists. Apparently, they will be exempt.
Looks like foreign currency trumps ideology.
The alternative reality in which we now live (thanks to the 24/7 media's reticence to call a lie a lie and "fake news"...which is far from new) is enough to spin anyone's head, exorcist style.
But, one of the most measured analysis of where American Tourism finds itself in the wake of the President's Executive Order has come from Travel Weekly's Arnie Weissmann.
Check it out HERE...and come back to share your thoughts.
When someone takes advantage of a situation, it's just easier for the people in charge of that situation to simply say "nyet" to any other possible interpretation for future opportunities. While it's pretty stereotypical of government, the private sector isn't always immune to this kind of backwards thinking.
Today's example comes from Rapid City, where statues of all 42 past U.S. Presidents can be found throughout the Downtown. As noted in today's story on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, dressing statues is nothing new. But, according to DMO pro Julie Jensen, some of the decorations in her town had turned political and/or religious a few years ago, so the City slammed the door shut on any statue adornment by anybody.
Recently, however, the Calvary Lutheran Church began dressing the past Presidents in knitted hats, scarves and mittens with tags encouraging those who were cold to take them. Predictably, within 24-hours, the City ordered the church to remove the knitted gifts that were intended for the less fortunate.
There is a happy ending to the story, however, as Mayor Steve Allender recently issued a proclamation that exempted groups from the ordinance during the winter months if the clothing was intended for the needy.
"It was a dumb policy," said the Mayor, as he tweeted "Even Presidents wear hats and scarves."
I so want to shake his hand.
Photo Credit: Calvary Lutheran Church
When things go badly for your community (I mean really badly), one of the silver linings is that a number of meeting planners of this nation's largest conventions and trade shows will be coming to your town in the years ahead.
When New Orleans was rocked by Katrina, a number of major Associations were quick to ask when they could meet in the Big Easy to bring the substantial buying power of large events to town to help the comeback. Today, it's Detroit's turn.
Not taking anything away from the sales professionals at the Detroit Metro CVB, the ignominious fall of one of the nation's major cities is a big reason that the "majors" are lining up to place events in the Motor City. It's our industry's way of infusing cash into a destination that needs a helping hand. And, we do it (not with a large check but) with tens of thousands of little checks from attendees, vendors and sponsors.
The Bureau has produced a :30 second video to encourage the community to step up its game this year as the city hosts ASAE (the Super Bowl of conventions), USA Volleyball, the Baptists, the ELCA and a boatload of others that will attract over 200,000 attendees.
Here's hoping those proud residents who remain (and the thousands that have been moving in) are the Team we all are pulling for them to be this summer.
Wherever Senator Bluto Blutarsky is today, my guess is that his reaction would be much the same as it was upon the shuttering of Delta House. Or, more specifically, what happened as movers dropped a case of alcohol.
Egypt's Les Rois Hotel opened its doors last week to the sound of breaking glass as hundreds of bottles of alcohol were smashed in celebration of becoming the region's first hotel to not serve booze. The owners say they intend to promote "a new kind of tourism."
And, there's more sense to that desire than might meet the eye. Occupancy has been cut in half since the 2011 Revolution. A lot of those guests were westerners who now are skittish about returning. So, if westerners can't be lured back, the logical focus would be to market to Arabs that don't have the same fears. And, what better way than to offer them a hotel experience that is designed for them...and not international guests.
Other design considerations include separate swimming pools for men and women and a women's only floor, complete with female security guards, a restaurant and a dance lounge.
No word on what they plan to do with the hoards of men that will likely be loitering in front of the elevators.
I've always loved that song. The hope. The trepidation. The possibility.
"Maybe it's too early in the game." Yeah...it's a scary move to lay yourself out like that. But, at this time of the year, isn't it worth it?
Hell yeah...
Just like Mexico. Asking what you're doing next December 21st. Because, ummm, that's the next end of the world (according to some). And, if you believe that to be true...wouldn't you want to be at ground zero, like Tapachula or Xunantunich? They're preparing the welcome mat.
Actually, I'd like to be at the polar opposite of ground zero (Madagascar works) so I could watch it unfold...and have a few moments to say "Shit...the Mayan's were right."
And then, have a few minutes to do what we all say we want to do when the end of the world is near.
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