Tourism industry adjusts to uncertainties of war

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The tourism industry adjusted Thursday to the uncertainties of war as the United States and British troops began a ground campaign in Iraq. With so little information on how tourists will respond to combat in Iraq, the Washington-based Travel Industry Association, Visit Florida and other tourism groups began research efforts that will help them decide how advertising dollars should be spent to market travel destinations in the face of war.

Read more from AP via The Naples Daily News.

It's gonna be next to impossible for the tourism industry to conduct much,if any marketing during the war as long as just about every major television network is focused on live round the clock commercial free coverage of the conflict.

It looks like it might be another bad year for the regional parks as well especially SF,with fuel prices on the rise as well as public uncertainty on the security of leisure travel it would seem as though we will see a decline in attendance this season depending on the duration of the war.

I can assure you the 24-hour news coverage will stop in a couple of days. It did the first time we were in Iraq. Truth be told, I don't think people are even that interested. I've been out and about today, and was at lunch when the air strike started. It was on the TV's, but nobody really cared or watched.

It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. People have strong feelings about the war, want it over quickly, and don't want to think much about it. Why? My theory is because Americans for the most part (Curious George aside) never saw Iraq as much of an issue anyway. It's too far away, and there has never been any demonstrated reason to fear Iraq here on the mainland.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

I work for Clear Channel in Youngstown, and I can assure you that things are going back to normal around here on Monday.

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Goccvp1

I sure do miss the Idora Wiildcat & Jackrabbit.

Let's hope so,as far as the media's concerned this war is just a ratings game for them & in the eyes of the media it's the biggest thing since the Clinton impeachment scandal of 98/99.

Yes it is neccesary to keep the public informed but if they(the media) keep pressing the issue then it will alienate the audience even further & they'll stop watching alltogether.

I am just happy that my local Fox affiliate in Cleveland changed back to regular programming (they were, except for local news, broadcasting Fox News for about 24 hours). To much attention will just burn you out.

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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com

Let me just say, the difference between the crowds for the past few weekends at SFMM and this weekend were night and day. Crowds were unlike I have ever seen at SFMM on Saturday; the park was just so incredibly packed! I think people will be going to the local parks a lot while this war is going on simply to escape the craziness of the war. People want leisure time and entertainment and amusement parks are the perfect place to get that fun!

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http://sfmm.brakerun.com
Six Flags Magic Mountain Xtreme Guide

BWFSFA: Would it not seem reasonable that SF would actually do *better* because of rising fuel prices? I mean, the bulk of guests that go to a SF park dont even spend an entire tank of gas getting there and back. In that light, the "local" park *should* seem like a bargain as opposed to treking over several states.

If SFI does *not* see increased attendance, I would wager that it has nothing to do with "fuel" prices and everything to do with their modus operandi. That being said, I think that they will have a successful year.

lata, jeremy

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Who doesn't want to see Russian lesbian teens singing in the rain?

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