Scott Ahlsmith, CTC's - Roads Less Traveled

Miami Gets Ready for Super Bowl

On February 4, 2007 when the referee blows his whistle and the football is kicked into the air, 75,000 fans will focus on football.  Of course 100 million of us will be glued to our television sets waiting to be entertained by the Superbowl commercials.

Before and after the big game in Miami, however, this city will entertain fans with its pulsating Latin clubs, famous restaurants, and tropical beaches.  From Miami Vice to CSI Miami, this city offers variety and spice that is unique to any worldwide destination.

Inbound U.S. Tourism Expected to Increase

Every year U.S, travel service providers, like hotels, theme parks, convention centers, airlines, and tourist boards travel to Berlin to display their wares to the rest of the world.  Their goal is to gain a larger slice of the global travel economy.  They are selling the U.S.A as a vacation destination for foreign travelers at ITB Berlin, which is the world's largest travel and tourism trade show.

This year, the U.S. delegation will be the largest since 2001.  Their message will be, "the U.S. is back in business and eager to welcome international visitors."  This comes after a steady decline in international arrivals to the U.S. and a corresponding decline in jobs in the travel and tourism sector of our economy.  There are several reasons for this decline.

Growth of Spas . . . in India

If you have any doubt about Thomas Friedman's commentary in The World is Flat that India has become a world super power, just look at the growth of their economy.  As an affluent upper middle class emerges so do all the amenities, like spas.

In 2006 India saw a blossoming of  resort stay and day spas. With the large city areas reporting a 30 to 40% growth in day spas, there has been a shift from fair skin to healthy skin, from beauty salons to day spas that offer holistic health, and also more male interest in all these categories.