In the bad economy people tend not to take a vacation. But now the government agencies have learned their lessons from the various private companies and Social Security conference at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix area.
Department of Agriculture suggested to it staffers hold its meeting in places like Denver, Milwaukee or St. Louis. Meanwhile,the FBI has turned down a travel planner from the New York New York Hotel and Casino to plan their event there.
The Department of Justice has sent a memo that conference not to be held at “decided conference[s] are not to be held in cities that are vacation destinations/spa/resort/gambling,” according to a May email from an FBI employee. The memo obtain by the US Travel Association and sent to the Wall Street Journal. The top cities on the list to avoid Las Vegas and Orlando.
Confirmed by the Department of Justice spokesperson “We do have guidance that says avoid locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.”
Those in the travel industry has suggested the government is engaging in a blacklist scheme against travel dependent states like Nevada and Florida. These locales have thousands upon thousands hotel rooms and conference spaces offering the best deals in the country.
“We get the sense that these agencies are worried about scrutiny, and in order to avoid criticism from the media they are essentially willing to spend more money and do things that they think will prevent them media scrutiny,” said Geoff Freeman, senior vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Association. “In the quest to demonize travel, we’re killing jobs.”
At the beginning of the Year, President Obama chastised major banks that take bailout money and have planned conferences in places like Las Vegas. That help kill off nearly 20% tourism to Las Vegas. Casino industries contacted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid(D-Nevada) of the loss of business ; Reid contacted the White House about this But White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel told Reid the government is focused on cost and efficiencies not resort locations.
So Obama has all but killed business travel industry especially in to Las Vegas and Florida, theses places who ironically voted Obama for President. Whats worse SEIU of Nevada which heavily encourage it’s members who works in many of Las Vegas Hotels and resorts to vote for the President, He slaps their collective faces of the workers. Real good Mr. President, real good. I wonder how many workers in the tourism industry lost their jobs due to the president’s wisdom and media haranguing.
The Good news the next four years shall be great for bargains , for service not so much. Good Luck, You need it.
