They say business meetings have such a bad name they’ve lost bookings worth $1.9 billion.
By KEVIN DIAZ, Star Tribune
WASHINGTON – Images of corporate executives at play in plush resorts have given business travel a black eye, and the tourism and hospitality industry is feeling the pain.
Spurred by that so-called AIG effect, a group of industry leaders — including Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Minnesota-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide — asked Congress for help Wednesday during a Senate hearing on tourism in troubled economic times.
They’re not asking for a government bailout. But they are asking members of Congress to tone down the rhetoric — or at least do no harm.