I believe in the law of unintended consequences.
When the government went on its jihad against corporate travel and perk excess — it would create lots of bad ripples in the travel — tourist based economies. It would hurt tax payers — not help taxpayers. It would hurt hotels; airlines — theme parks — casinos — dining establishments — credit and charge card companies. Who would it help? Politicians that get air time for saying optically correct things; without understanding the unintended consequences of their media stances.
So — here you go — check out this terrific work and the top 20 unemployed communities in America.
I was shocked to see that more than a dozen cities were in just California and Florida; with Las Vegas too — that made for the bulk of the cities. Sad to say — Detroit is number 1 — in unemployment.
But Miami? Tampa? San Francisco? San Diego? Orlando? Las Vegas?
Happy now?
Get out there and travel this holiday season — have some family fun — stimulate the economy. The world is still on sale.
Tags: Unemployment
I am an employee of the conference/convention industry and the government saying that corporate travel is “wrong” has had a great impact. In the association world (and every association has a meeting, conference or convention) many of us have seen a 25-30% drop in attendance. This trickles down to hotels, restaurants, people who sell totebags, photographers, even security guards.
Hopefully we will see a turn around soon. Thanks for the post Mr. Leonsis.
Calm down, Ted. Jihad? Is that really the term you wanted to use? Is it really too much for someone to ask company’s taking taxpayers money (remember the context, Ted) resist going on junkets when they should be getting their own books in order. Once they don’t need my money anymore, they can do whatever they want, whereever they want — that’s an issue for shareholders, not the public.
What do the cities you mention have in common? All overbuilt their housing stocks and were hit particularly hard by foreclosures and shoddy lending practices.
Me spending $1000 in Vegas is not going to turn an economy around that has seen its home equity values drop by 70% — we need bigger medicine than me losing my money at the roulette table or drinking a $35 margarita in South Beach.
You are a great team owner. Your political analysis seems a little off, though.
Keep up the good work.
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now - in Belgium, with my London sabbatical still coming up. Helping tourist economies wherever I can!
[oh, you meant tourist economies in the USA? Sorry, I don't drive - and unless one has access to private wheels, American tourism isn't an option.]