"Travel and Bargain" Splitting Company

The dollar is about to drop in value again against the euro. Those ten buck coffees that bummed me out this spring could soon be fifteen. Due to the rising inflation rate in Europe, the European Central Bank is planning on hiking a key interest rate this week. As one not versed in economics, I have to go by my cost of a cup of coffee meter. By far Warsaw, Poland gave me the best bang for a cup of joe. I got an email from good friend Nora Brossard who handles the European Travel Commission for Spring O’Brien with the Commission’s bulletin with tips for alternative art cities that are a bit cheaper. For example Linz, Esztergom and Ghent have art treasures well worth seeing. Let’s face it, it looks like the words “travel and bargain” will be splitting company for a while. I have gone so far as to rent a hybrid car for my trip up the coast of Maine and into Atlantic Canada, a chance to save some green while going green. Even the Loon is easily pacing the almighty (once) dollar. Check out Tim Leffel's blogs and books for other travel ideas.

Discover America Partnership, Thank You

It irks me badly after I have been to the European Travel Commission’s events and see the tremendous efforts they put into drawing visitors and the US doesn't. Why do we in the US not, it boggles my mind. We here could use some powerful Euros mixed into the economy. For that matter the Canadian Loon is looking better or equal to the US Buck! Still no US Tourism Board is ever even mentioned and you have fifty states on their own.

Once again I praise the efforts of the Discover America Partnership and their efforts to open up America to visitors from abroad. The one basic fact that they have concluded is that overseas visitors that have come to the US leave with a far better attitude about this country than those that haven’t visited. I salute these people and their efforts!

Here is a bit from their website:

A study conducted in 2005 by GMI showed that first-hand experience plays a positive role in forming people’s opinions about a new country. People from other countries have far more favorable views about America and its citizens if they have visited this country than those who have never visited the United States.

The reason for these findings is clear: “people-to-people” communication builds understanding in a way that no other form of communication can match. Without doubt, Americans are our country’s most powerful diplomats.

As a result, we believe that finding ways to attract more international visitors to America must be a critical element of the nation’s public diplomacy process.