The pandemic is still academic. Let's not panic. Yet.

The pandemic is still academic. Let's not panic. Yet.
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2009

The pandemic is still academic. Let's not panic. Yet.

Yup... And the brand new Convention Centre I was glorifying a few days ago just had a major ceiling water leak and subsequent flooding, three weeks form opening. Murphy’s Law in action, or just fatality and maths (as in large new building = large chance of mishaps early on)?

Hey, this is Vancouver; expect water to fall one way or another!

Here’s from a recent email of our industry friend Doug regarding tourism - or the lack thereof - in Vancouver:

Gulf War #1
Dot com bust
9/11
SARS
Gulf War #2
Wall Street Meltdown
Housing Meltdown
Winter from Hell
Cruiseships leaving*
Swine Flu
New Convention Centre leaking

Bring it on baby!
Keep Calm and Carry On.

* Note to foreigners: the cruise ships leaving issue is actually a very serious one as some of the major cruise lines have elected not to come back to Vancouver next year and divert to Seattle instead, which represents millions of tourist-dollars gone south.

Posted at 9:14 PM in Vancouver:

2 Comments

Display comments as(Linear | Threaded)

1 - Anonymous says:

« Why are the cruise ships abandoning Vancouver ? There must be a very good
reason, no ? Money, honey, as usual ? »
Date of comment: 2009-04-29 08:01 •
1.1 - Vince answers:

« Multiple reasons, really. Some might be interested in Victoria better than Vancouver. For most, Seattle is cheaper. Then there’s customs delays. And also Alaska is charging an insane tax on cruise passengers, literally shooting themselves in the foot and killing their population’s just about only resource, and that’s only half of the year. And guess you’s the governor of that State? So the Alaska cruise circuit is taking a beating.

Breaking news: I just heard today from a trusted source that the loss next year might be much greater than expected with another cruise line bailing, bringing the number of Vancouver sailings from some 250 this year down to 150. If that gets confirmed, it’s an incredible catastrophe for the city. Ouch! »
Date of comment: 2009-04-29 18:51 •

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