Comments on: Senate Bill to Promote Foreign Tourism

By: nk

nk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:29:41 +0000

I actually had a client who complained to the referring attorney that I charged him too little (for a pissant routine matter) and the referring attorney complained to me about it.

By: DRJ

DRJ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:22:04 +0000

Apogee and Richard,

I understand your point, really I do, but I confess my first thought was how I would like to negotiate a contract with you on the other side.

By: SPQR

SPQR — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:13:43 +0000

Yep, the Obama Banana Republic

By: jdm

jdm — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:50:59 +0000

I think you mean Immigration, Mike K; the Customs people have their own special evil dealing dealing with all the interesting things people bring back from vacation.

That said, your point is well taken. Immigration authorities “at the border” both can and will send visitors packing on what seem to be little more than whims. Bad night sleeping? Lousy day? Miss a break? They’ll ignore a proper visa, the traveler’s plans, reservations, and send ‘em back.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:32:16 +0000

It might help to change the attitude of customs offices at the airport. A friend came from Australia a few years ago. His girlfriend was wealthy and owned a huge ranch (they call them stations) in the outback. When the customs agent asked her occupation, she replied “retired.” As she was a gorgeous 40 year old, she was taken into another small room and grilled for a hour or more.

I’m sure she wanted to come back.

By: Richard Aubrey

Richard Aubrey — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:12:29 +0000

Had a friend running a gift shop on Mackinaw Island. She had a line of purses which was not moving and the season was closing. A vendor’s rep–different line–offered the advice to double the price.
Things flew off the shelves.

By: nk Barack Hussein Obama

nk Barack Hussein Obama — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:53:27 +0000

I dunno guys, I just cannot stand foreigners. They’ve been giving me nothing but trouble ever since I came to this here country.

By: redc1c4

redc1c4 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:12:21 +0000

this pretty much says it all....

By: carlitos

carlitos — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:32:35 +0000

Let’s go full-on banana republic and charge travelers the fee in US dollars, cash only, payable at the airport before you leave. Let’s also make them wait in a separate line to pay their fee. That’s how they used to do it in Mexico, and still do in Venezuela and Argentina. I love the outbound airport experience in Caracas and Buenos Aires – very efficient, lots of smiling faces!

By: Apogee

Apogee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:23:11 +0000

DRJ – Heh. Want more international travelers? Charge ‘em.

I’d agree, but there’s that conundrum of millions of people buying $4.25 coffee.

Sometimes charging a fee makes people think they’re getting something ‘extra’ in return for that fee.