Re: Who profits from Bike Week?
Who profits? You do (at least you JohnQPublic). While I don't have the statistics of how much the state makes on the 8% meals and rooms tax, that is probably a good place to start counting. Then, there is the publicity. The media loves to slant the event with a negative spin in order to sell papers and gain viewers, but it gets out the word that the lakes region of NH is a happening place. That no doubt brings tourists to rent homes and buy fishing licenses. More taxes for the state and income for residents and real-estate brokers. The police make overtime. Heck, they bus them in from all over. What an opportunity. Even the FBI gets involved by trumping up the fear factor and saying they gotta be there. Who knows, with all those beards around, there may be a terrorist or two lurking, and they can't take a chance on missing one. Yes, the amount of police is staggering, but its that way everywhere. You can't pin the costs of america's paranoia on the promoters of bike week. The traffic congestion can get bad - but hey, its JUNE! The water is cold, and there is not that much going on anyway. Those people have to eat somewhere - so there is another bonus. You obviously don't like the event. Lots of others do. I wonder if the folks in New Orleans complain about Mardi Gras. Probably do...
-lg
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