Washington's War on the Massage/Spa Industry

[Breakupandlove]

First is was "Big energy", then "Healthcare" then "Wall Street and the Banking Industry" now the Travel & Leisure industry - of which almost everyone here is a part - is the latest economic linchpin in the sites of the White House and Congressional hypocrites, targeted for destruction.

Laurence Geller, the president, CEO of Strategic Hotels and Resorts, on CNBC Friday AM

"We've lost an awful lot of major businesses, and it's not just those receiving government bailouts that are affected, but there's a general fear of criticism by people not only making the bookings but people attending these conferences so it's really got out of hand because the meetings and conference business is absolutely essentially to this nation. ... This year, since the hyeforum.xxxole got ratcheted up to these levels, we're on track to lose 350, 400,000 jobs. The ripple through the economy is gigantic, lodging and tourism is the third largest retail business in the country."

From the Dallaz Business Journal "In a letter to members of Congress, (Carlson Travel CEO Jay) Witzel and executives from nine of the nation’s other largest hotel companies wrote: “We understand the economic pressures that have caused many companies to reduce business travel as part of broader cost-cutting measures. However, we are concerned that legitimate meetings, business events and recognition travel are now being portrayed as perks and symbols of excess.”

The letter cites Department of Labor statistics showing that 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost in 2008, and the Department of Commerce predicts that another 247,000 travel-related jobs could disappear in 2009.

“That number may grow if the rhetoric is not toned down,” the hotel executives wrote. “… This is a time when we should be looking to create and support jobs, not destroy them. A robust travel industry is a powerful economic stimulus.”

Make no mistake -- all the "feel good" from bashing corporate execs, bailouts and greed feels pretty crappy to the waiters, front desk agents, housekeepers, kitchen staff and, yes, Massage Therapists and other Spa staff who are getting laid off as a consequence of the White House and Congressional grandstanding.

Mind you, they don't say a word when VP Biden goes to the 5-star Fontainebleau on South Beach to attend the AFL-CIO Executive Committee meeting, but Corporate Travel of any kind is grounds for a stoning.

It gets worse. Of the 5 states driving the foreclosure crisis, 4 of them -- CA, AZ, FL and NV -- are also 4 of the Top Convention travel destinations. Pouring Billions to stave off foreclosures in these states is a waste if all you are going to do is kill the jobs of those you ar

Think this does not effect you? Guess again. Spa lay off MTs, you now have more self-employed MTs in the market, fighting for clients and dropping prices. They used to serve out of towners, now they are targeting your clients.