Also see: The Boston Globe Worships the Wealthy Elite
Only U.S. Elite Need Apply
"Gas prices steered Bay Staters toward Cape for weekend" by Peter Schworm, Globe Staff and Maddie Hanna, Globe Correspondent | July 7, 2008
With a shaky economy and runaway gas prices, the Cape's proximity - and relative affordability - drew a bumper crop of budget-conscious visitors over the Bourne and Sagamore bridges on the summer's busiest travel weekend.
"This was a really good weekend for us," said Wendy Northcross, head of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. "I was amazed by how many Massachusetts license plates I saw in the parking lots. I think that with the cost of travel, a lot of people are staying closer to home this summer."
As they have done for summers on end, tens of thousands of New Englanders thronged to the hook-shaped sandy peninsula this weekend for getaways with family and friends, lolling on breezy beaches and licking their fingers at greasy clam shacks. From the century-old Captain Kidd restaurant in Woods Hole to the bars and bistros on Commercial Street in Provincetown, business was brisk as diners packed patios to enjoy fresh seafood and wash away the workaday life.
"It's a pretty sensible response to high gas prices," said Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Yup, everything is JUST GREAT around here.
By the way, I didn't celebrate the fourth because I don't celebrate countries that mass-murder and torture people!
The state tourism office has also marketed aggressively in Europe in the hopes of capitalizing on the robust buying power of the euro, Wall said. Through May, the number of Europeans who had landed at Logan Airport increased 4 percent from last year, she said.
Yup, that DROPPING DOLLAR kept you home, American, but it is a GOOD THING!!!!
Up and down the Cape, British, French, and Scandinavian accents are mainstays on the summer soundtrack, tourism officials say.
"America's on sale for the Europeans, and Boston is the closest port," Northcross said.
At The Carriage House, a bed-and-breakfast in Provincetown, Europeans made up the bulk of the spring guests, said manager Angus McCaslin. When they are not biking or beachcombing, they are hitting the shops with gusto, due to an exchange rate that is strongly in their favor.
And you know what that means regarding your dollar, right, 'murkns?
A Norwegian couple arrived recently carrying two empty suitcases, which they packed with new purchases, he said. "They're full now," McCaslin said. "The Europeans are buying up a storm."
Apart from the European influence, the Cape had a pronounced local feel this Fourth, business owners said. With money tight, many families were choosing a low-cost trip down Route 3 over more ambitious trips to far-flung destinations.
Except for the UNTOUCHABLE RICH!!!
And what is that shit falling down on me?
Gee, it REALLY IS SHIT!!!!
For the first time in a decade, fewer Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home this weekend, according to AAA Southern New England. Gas prices, which have risen more than $1 a gallon since last July, are the main culprit, tourism officials say.
But don't highlight the BAD NEWS, Globe -- just tone the article as if EVERYTHING is GREAT!!!
This country is FALLING APART and the shitters down there are PUSHING CRAP!
Many Americans, even those barely scraping by, will make sacrifices to pay for a family summer trip. For them, vacation is a time to let loose, not tighten the purse strings. "People want that time away from the daily grind," said Greg Stone, owner of the Lighthouse Inn in West Dennis. "When they come here, they like to forget things. They don't want to think about skimping and saving their pennies."
--MORE--"
I'm really sick of the shit-shovel, readers, can you tell?
