this is the most honest sign yet...
Posted on 03/16/2005 4:22:42 PM PST by Citizen James
With a total of 4.2 million hotel guests in 2004, San Francisco's tourism market is gaining strength, while its share of business travelers still lags far behind the prosperous days of 1999.
And, an increasing number of tourists say they are unhappy with The City's homeless problem.
On Tuesday, just before the start of the annual San Francisco Hospitality Expo trade show at Moscone North, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau announced the results of its 2004 survey of 2,600 hotel guests staying at 51 hotels.
More than 43 percent of those respondents listed homelessness as their top dislike — a problem named by just 31.6 percent of the respondents in the 1999 survey.
"Frankly it is the biggest single complaint I've gotten in 18 years in this job," said John Marks, CEO and president of the bureau, who expressed confidence in The City's 10-year effort to end the problem.
However, The City is in need of a short-term solution. "We need some Visine — to get the red out today," Marks said.
San Francisco's ambiance ranked as the top "thing most liked" about The City in the survey.
The report also showed business travel has declined 29.2 percent since 1999 — troubling news for the hospitality industry.
"If our general business community were stronger, we would have more visitors coming to San Francisco for the purpose of doing business," said Marks
Bureau officials attributed that loss to corporate budget cuts, improved technology obviating the need for travel, and the exodus of some business from The City.
Marks predicted that newer businesses "incubating" in The City could increase corporate travel in five years.
In general, hoteliers who attended the presentation were upbeat about the findings.
"Rates are going up," said Lisa Wasserman of the Hyatt Regency. "More people are coming to The City. It's great news for all hotels in The City."
Chuck Johnson, concierge of the Donatello, wondered if The City might improve its travel prospects by focusing on entertainment for the guests.
The number of visitors staying in San Francisco hotels increased by nearly 9 percent from 3.86 million in 2003 to 4.2 million in 2004. All visitors — including Bay Area residents and guests staying outside The City — totaled 15.12 million last year, compared with 14.54 million in 2003.
All travelers spent a total of $6.73 billion in 2004 compared with $6.3 billion the year before.
While the 2004 average hotel room-occupancy rate of 73.2 percent is still well below the 80.7 percent rate enjoyed in 1999 the actual number of overnight guests is slightly higher than it was in 1999.
Several new hotels have opened since then, Marks said.
Mrs Drango won't go into SF at night...she just doesn't feel safe.
this is the most honest sign yet...
My wife and I spent two days and three nights in SF on a vacation in March 2003. We had a nice room at good priced hotel right off Mission street.
It was bad enough in the day but after dark it was AWFUL! I was afraid to even walk a few blocks to go to a grocery store and get beer!
And during our visit they were having alot of their anti-Iraq war protest so I had to bob and weave driving through their already confusing streets trying not to hit again hippie protesters. Okay, I didn't try very hard! lol
My favorite for honesty is the guy by the Ball Park who holds a sign that says "I won't lie....It's for Beer"
Seriously, though, the "homeless problem" is a HUGE problem in SF. It bothers me and I live here. I shudder when I think of what tourists must think. It's a shame no one can get it under control. Guess like with everything else the "homeless" (they were "bums" when I was a kid) from all over hear that liberal San Francisco will be easy on them!!
Beware of the waiters who swish and have AIDS sores on their faces.
I'd like to know what kind of crack that group was smoking. What other city besides SF actually pays the homeless to, well, be homeless?
Funny part of this was Little Rock, AR was number one.
I wonder if that survey wasn't taken when the Clinton Massage Parlor and Adult Novelties Shop opened its doors. Little Rock rounded up every vagrant within a 20-mile radius and shipped them to Outer Mongolia - couldn't have them around to embarrass the Bent One.
I couldn't agree more. It's a beautiful city with lots of history and things to see and do. I'm glad I went once. Unless the homeless situation changes, I don't ever plan to go back. And that's a shame.
I saw a supposedly homeless guy holding a puppy and making threatening gestures like he'd strangle the pup unless people put money into his cup. A disgusting spectacle which I don't need my hard-earned tourist dollars going to support in ANY way, shape or fashion.
Prairie
it's the same here in MN. only the ones who have an IQ over 60 hop a Greyhound to go to Seattle or SF in the winter.
I saw a bum holding a sign at an Atlanta Interstate exit ramp that said: "Why Lie? I need a beer!"
I gave him a dollar.
Bubba feels your pain!
RE: We had a nice room at good priced hotel right off Mission street.
Your biggest mistake, right there. With the exception of a couple blocks near the Embarcadero, that street is nasty.
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