The Tourism Economy isn’t Sustainable 

The Film Festival is over
Today the streets were wet
The wind blew cold. 

Shops on State Street were empty
Vitality has taken a hit
Feel the sting of the economic malaise 

Maybe a cruise ship is heading our way
But those passengers offer next to nothing
They don’t dine, they’re not coming back either
Unless it’s on another cruise 

It’s a day to take stock
If our downtown was filled with residents
It would be another day of business as usual 

Imagine a local economy based on serving local residents
Instead of counting the days until the next cruise ship 

The Mission, the Courthouse – they make plans
Cruises are coming with passengers galore
Do they stop to think,
What does serving these tourists accomplish?

Time to restock the postcards these tourists will purchase
Count the nickel and dimes of those transactions
That economy will lead to more vacant storefronts
As we scratch our heads and wonder why