why like that

It's Boxing Day! The day after Christmas! Of which is in the period where I eat a lot and you know what happens next!

I just heard this (or something to that effect) on the news: "There has been a decline in visitor arrivals this year, down from last year's phenomenal tourist numbers. This has been attributed to the current economic downturn, which is taking its toll on many countries around the world."

WHAT. Did I hear that correctly?

"There has been a decline in visitor arrivals this year, down from last year's phenomenal tourist numbers. This has been attributed to the current economic downturn, which is taking its toll on many countries around the world."

I'M SORRY?

"There has been a decline in visitor arrivals this year, down from last year's phenomenal tourist numbers. This has been attributed to the current economic downturn, which is taking its toll on many countries around the world."

WHY? Why must everything be 'attributed' to the recessionary period?

Smaller turnouts at business expositions. Orh, it's because of the economic downturn.

Smaller donation takings for charities. Yah lah, it's the recession.

Less retail earnings. Of course it's because people have to tighten purse strings what. Then what?

More pets left at animal shelters. Oh, they couldn't afford to continue taking care of them. To expensive to upkeep.



Then what?




Ok. Maybe there's some truth to all of this.
Yes, because of the economic downturn, many have been retrenched, many more have taken pay cuts, and therefore, there is less money to holiday overseas, to donate, to spend on Christmas presents, and to even feed Spot. Business expos die because they are boring.



Ok, it's probably because businesses are busy cutting back on expenditure and therefore don't see the need to even try to get more business which will most definitely require more capital outlay.


BUT. It's not ONLY because of the downturn that has caused such phenomena, RIGHT? Does anyone see my point? (Ok maybe not because I'm quibbling over such silly things. BUT.)

I mean, it seems almost as if the current downturn is a plain (and easy) excuse to be used for accounting for many things, which would otherwise reveal something that is not so nice.

Like how tourist arrivals may be dipping ALSO because of the declining image that our country portrays to the rest of the world? Not-so-effective tourism campaigns? They've all seen our country and have gotten bored? Maybe.

Or maybe that prices have instead gone up during the Christmas period, explaining why people opt for cheaper presents now, and therefore, less spending? Maybe it's also because sales just aren't what they used to be anymore, with measly discounts of what, 5%? Not even enough to cover GST.

Or how about this, plain, unyielding human nature. We are selfish, and so we just don't want to donate too much, and don't want to buy more dog food. Charities have lost the trust placed in them due to a few really lame individuals, and people think buying huskies for HDB dwellers as Christmas presents makes absolute sense, especially when they (the dogs lah) look so small and cute when first bought (later on: how EVER did they grow so big and noisy?!).

And business expos are boring lah. Ok, that and because of the snowball effect, when some businesses (doesn't have to be alot, just the major players) decide to stay away from a particular expo (for whatever reason, maybe also because they're boring), more and more will find the expo less attractive as well, and you see my point. Yes you do.

So you see (yes you do), the "current economic downturn" should not be used as the excuse-that-no-one-can-refute, because, very often, it's seen that way. Instead, while it should be taken into account, we must also look at ways to resolve whatever problem that materialises.

How about raising service standards to boost tourist arrivals, instead of hoping for the best 5 years on when there will be a probable economic boom? Or how about better pet ownership regulation and licensing so that Spot wouldn't be in a spot?

Then we'll find out, that, after all, it isn't so much an economic downturn. (: