Outlook for tourism in S.F. is dim and getting dimmer

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 2/17/9 | Andrew S. Ross

[lefty-lie-spy]

I wholly agree. Take the relatives to Cupertino, San Jose, Capitola, or Monterey instead. SF has nothing other than tourist traps for a 1-day trip, unless you want to show them all the sites where Dirty Harry was filmed, or do the Alcatraz tour and make it worthwhile.

[ScottinVA]

“Outlook for tourism in S.F. is dim and getting dimmer”

Sweet!!

[BelegStrongbow]

Once upon a time, it didn’t matter what year it was, SF was SF and all was well.

Times change and now it really matters.

[Natural Law]

SF has a killer budget and a big tax scalpel to pay for it because the city is maintained in pristine condition"

If you think SF is in pristine condition I would suggest you actually visit it. While you are there take a look at the city budget and see what percentage of the budget goes toward city maintenance. It isn't as much as you would think, what with the cost of free wifi for the homeless and city paid sex change operations and health care expenses for the domestic partners of city employees. Also look to see how city salaries compare to the adjacent communities. You will see that they, like the overall budget, are considerably higher than necessary.

[ScottinVA]

I grew up over in Vallejo; last time I was in SF was in 1976 and I have no intention to ever drop another nickel in that place, with the exception of another tour to Alcatraz, which is a national park.

[ScottinVA]

“book shopping between Napa, Santa Rosa, and San Francisco”

I was born in Napa. Still looks great there, but growing.

[Richard Kimball]

Much of SF's tourism industry was based on the "alternative lifestyle" crowd. People who self-identify as homosexual tend to travel and spend money. SF has always been one of the top spots, and the gay parades were a draw for them.

Travel is dropping through the floor. Much of the tourism industry is financed by junkets from other industries. When 0bama and Nancy told them to quit traveling, it was a sledge hammer to the entire tourist industry.

The insanity right now is palpable. 0bama orders industry to quit funding junkets to Vegas while the stimulus package includes a bullet train to Vegas.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Frisco is the last place I would go—better to visit your local skid Row if you want to see bums. I would place Baghdad by the bay behind Mexico as a tourist destination. If you want to go someplace try Alaska or Canada.

[PERKY2004]

THIS is why tourism is down in San Francisco ....