Employment market

[rybert]

Originally Posted by loborick

I have also spoke to some people in the tourism industry here and they are starting to get encouraged with the drop in gas prices. They are seeing more tourists from surrounding states that are willing to drive as well as an increase in foreign visitors because of the weak dollar.

Santa Fe will suffer, but I agree with those that it will not suffer as much. It will make the fight for non-government jobs tougher because of the freeze.

Is there really still a measurable influx of foreign tourism on account of the disparity between our currencies? I say this because the US Dollar has made leaps and bounds against the Euro since this summer (from $1.58 to $1.25 per Euro). Seems like that would hurt international tourism.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by rybert

I say this because the US Dollar has made leaps and bounds against the Euro since this summer (from $1.58 to $1.25 per Euro). Seems like that would hurt international tourism.

Stay tuned, Rybert. When Moody's or S&P downgrades the dollar from its AAA rating, all hell's going to break loose. What they're saying is the dollar has only temporarily benefited from its "safe-haven" status.

[rybert]

Good to know the Victory Garden I've been planning will come in handy.

[GreatSantaFe]

Originally Posted by rybert

Is there really still a measurable influx of foreign tourism on account of the disparity between our currencies? I say this because the US Dollar has made leaps and bounds against the Euro since this summer (from $1.58 to $1.25 per Euro). Seems like that would hurt international tourism.

Europeans were flocking to Santa Fe five years ago when the Euro was equal to $0.75US - so now that it's worth $1.25, even though it's down from its high we still look like a terrific bargain. And that's according to friends of ours from France who are touring around NM and AZ. Same is true for many other non-European countries - the dollar is still down compared to most world currencies.

[Xavious Orgus]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

Stay tuned, Rybert. When Moody's or S&P downgrades the dollar from its AAA rating, all hell's going to break loose. What they're saying is the dollar has only temporarily benefited from its "safe-haven" status.

I agree completely! Hang on, it's gonna be one heck of a ride!!