"it’s still harder to find a job in Miami than it is in Detroit" (hotel, home)

[perry335654]

Originally Posted by Jmlacysr

That's right and I think Miami believes there are an unlimited amount of sheep.

It's killer expensive here. Zoo, 15.00, seaworld 40.00, rent a bike 25.00 for two hours. You have to pay to park then pay more fees to get in and we don't even have to talk about eating out and what that costs.

I've seen this business model before where things were so high it didn't matter how many they sold. The margins were so great they figured they didn't need every deal and if you wanted it, you bought it or did without it. They didn't care, they made their money the day before.

That's fine until the day when the sales don't come. You don't have those high margins and if you refuse to lower your prices, you'll be the one doing without.

"I'll show you, I'll go broke before I lower my prices" is not the way to stay in business in a flailing economy and let's face it, times are tough in the US right now and no good news in sight. Gas prices $4.00 a gallon and it's not even summer. How many people will be driving/flying to Miami this summer vs. last?

That is cheap for petrol in Europe,like I said the exchange rate is good, so visitors get more bang for the buck.

[Jmlacysr]

Originally Posted by perry335654

12 million visitors annually with 17 billion made from tourism that is a lot of sheering, they must be doing something right,maybe tourists especially Europeans do not care about attitudes as probably most are arrogant themselves and plus for the fact that the exchange rate is very ideal so fleece on and add in those gratuities.baaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, that's euro's but what about dollars? I don't find my exchange rate that favorable here. So the plan is to cater to the Europeans and leave out other market segments? Only cater to wealthy Americans?

Let's assume both. Where does that put job creation? Only the tourist industry or will this bring in factory and manufacturing jobs?

Having a singular source of income is not a good business practice for a city anyway you shear this sheep and let's face it, we live here yet pay tourist prices. A pair for shoes cost the same if you live here and make 7.00 per hour or 7,000 per hour and if you are from Munich or Hialeah.

Do the tourists shop at publix? Buy cars? Homes? Where are the long term growth patterns here that will make the local economy strong and stable? Renting beach chairs are good, but imo we need more to be viable.

[thelion]

Originally Posted by perry335654

That is cheap for petrol in Europe,like I said the exchange rate is good, so visitors get more bang for the buck.

While this is true, we don't want to be slaves to the exchange rate - especially if prices keep rising and Europe can manage the debt crises it's in.

[Jmlacysr]

Originally Posted by perry335654

That is cheap for petrol in Europe,like I said the exchange rate is good, so visitors get more bang for the buck.

Granted, but who buys more gas here, the ones who live here or the visitors who come here for the weekend?

Let's assume next year we have double the visitors. Will the tourist industry hire twice as many people? Build new hotels and if so where?

Where is the potential for real long term growth and long term jobs?

You have to grow the economy from within and I think that's where Miami is failing. It should be a vibrant economy on it's own with the icing on the cake being the tourist dollars. Miami right now is a one wheel bicycle.

[perry335654]

Originally Posted by Jmlacysr

That's right and I think Miami believes there are an unlimited amount of sheep.

It's killer expensive here. Zoo, 15.00, seaworld 40.00, rent a bike 25.00 for two hours. You have to pay to park then pay more fees to get in and we don't even have to talk about eating out and what that costs.

I've seen this business model before where things were so high it didn't matter how many they sold. The margins were so great they figured they didn't need every deal and if you wanted it, you bought it or did without it. They didn't care, they made their money the day before.

That's fine until the day when the sales don't come. You don't have those high margins and if you refuse to lower your prices, you'll be the one doing without.

"I'll show you, I'll go broke before I lower my prices" is not the way to stay in business in a flailing economy and let's face it, times are tough in the US right now and no good news in sight. Gas prices $4.00 a gallon and it's not even summer. How many people will be driving/flying to Miami this summer vs. last?

Nobody is putting a gun to their head to pay these prices and if one does it is mostly put on the credit card and the shock value will come next month. Miami and Miami Beach are well-known internationally and yes it does seem to cater to the wealthy but prices are much cheaper in the off season which are mostly the summer months.

[perry335654]

Originally Posted by perry335654

That is cheap for petrol in Europe,like I said the exchange rate is good, so visitors get more bang for the buck.

Pounds to Dollars | GBP USD | Pound Dollar rate- Although I have seen it higher.

[thelion]

Originally Posted by Jmlacysr

Granted, but who buys more gas here, the ones who live here or the visitors who come here for the weekend?

Let's assume next year we have double the visitors. Will the tourist industry hire twice as many people? Build new hotels and if so where?

Where is the potential for real long term growth and long term jobs?

You have to grow the economy from within and I think that's where Miami is failing. It should be a vibrant economy on it's own with the icing on the cake being the tourist dollars. Miami right now is a one wheel bicycle.

I'll add - I don't see tourists in West Kendall spending money in La Carreta!

Tourists stay around the beach, or in the malls and spend money in Gap, Banana Republic, Jonny Rockets etc..

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by thelion

I'll add - I don't see tourists in West Kendall spending money in La Carreta!

Tourists stay around the beach, or in the malls and spend money in Gap, Banana Republic, Jonny Rockets etc..

actually really odd you meantion this. i actually saw ONE!
a clearly european guy who looked like Bruno before they changed his image for the movie. stuck out like a sore thumb while i was driving down bird road.

[thelion]

Originally Posted by cixcell

actually really odd you meantion this. i actually saw ONE!
a clearly european guy who looked like Bruno before they changed his image for the movie. stuck out like a sore thumb while i was driving down bird road.

Probably me!

[cixcell]

Government checks kept south florida alive in 2009

Government aid soared 12 percent in South Florida during recession - Economy & Banking - MiamiHerald.com (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/21/2179826/government-aid-soared-12-percent.html - broken link)