Urban Roots Impact Tourism: One Man's Opinion

By Ben Meisner

When the latest tourist figures were released for this area, they came as no surprise.

The tourist numbers are down.

Was the price of gas, part of the problem?  Indeed. Is the US population sticking closer to home?  Yep.

We have a growing population of baby boomers who are seeking out warmer climates, easier living, and in their minds, the lure of the out of doors loses its luster

In the city of New York more than 67 % of the people have never been outside of that city.  In Mexico City that figure climbs over 75% .

We are faced with a growing urban population which has no interest in having a glimpse of the great outdoors. It is really hard to believe, given where we choose to live, but it is a fact never the less. The idea of a nice meal, a band playing, and people within a few feet every where you go not only is a norm but a desire for many people who now populate the earth.

Take a look at where the immigration is occurring in this country and you will find that the most popular spots are Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary.

We don’t even make the radar screen in spite of the great open spaces that we have around us. There was a time when the city dwellers all thought that vacations in the wilderness would be a holiday of a life time. Given the cost of getting there and back, and given the quiet that comes with such a vacation many of them are driven away from a rural holiday.

In the old days the children came from the farm and moved to the city. They always wanted to return to their roots.

Today they are born and live in the mega city, they have less interest and no history to return to the rural way of life and the growth of our cities supports that.

I’m Meisner and that is one man’s opinion.

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