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DEL.ICIO.USWhat’s your dream?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia tourism folks have come up with a good idea to market the state — the Georgia Dream Pass. Right now, it’s a dream for golfers. People who sign up for the pass get special privileges at participating golf courses all over the state, such as discounts on green fees, complimentary rounds (based on stays at resorts), two-for-one golf cart fees, priority tee times and other perks.
I don’t give a hoot about golf, but wait, there’s more: Soon, the tourism folks promise, you’ll be able to use the Dream Pass for privileges and benefits at attractions and resorts. If I can get a discount on a stay at Callaway Gardens, for instance, for doing nothing other than signing up for a card, then you’ve got my attention. For information on the card — it’s free — or to sign up, go to http://www.gadreampass.com
What kinds of discounts and privileges would you like to see on the card? Maybe we can give them some ideas. I’d go for discounts at some of Atlanta’s big attractions like the zoo or the aquarium or Stone Mountain. How about discounts to Braves or Falcons games? But I’d especially like to see deep discounts for last-minute getaways at some of Georgia’s resorts that otherwise would have empty rooms. Like cruise ships, hotels and resorts are better off with a head in the bed, even if it’s not at a premium rate — and I’d like to help them out.
Comments
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By Jason
July 10, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
What business does the state have marketing private golf courses, resorts and other private sector businesses? I thought the GOP philosophy is that government should not be in the business of providing services which the private sector can. The paramount duty of state government is to provide for the protection of persons and (their) property. How does marketing tourism do either? Wouldn’t it make much more sense for the Department of Economic Development to reduce their budget by getting out of the “marketing” business thereby reducing the overall state budget? In turn, legislative budget writers could then reduce the amount needed to run our government which ultimately would reduce taxes for working families in Georgia. Don’t get me wrong, I support marketing Georgia as a tourism destination. However, I believe it is incumbent upon those private businesses who would like more customers to pool their funds and collective marketing budgets to underwrite such a program. Relying on state government to conceive and manage this function is a direct contradiction to the GOP ideology and a poor use of our tax dollars. Thoughts?