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Americas Nathan Horne +1 347 227 8143 nathan@songdivision.com	Asia Pacific Sam McNeill +61 (0)403 700 047 sam@songdivision.com
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Postcards From Abroad

August 13, 2009

Monthly column for MPI New York’s ‘Metrolines’ magazine:

It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. My wife and I have just returned from a seven-night cruise as guests of one of the major cruise lines. With stops in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and the Bahamas, our journey was one luxurious loop around Cuba, like a shark circling its prey. If you haven’t already been to charming Cuba, get there ASAP before the floodgates open, the cruise ships pull in, and it becomes an extension of South Beach.

The cruise industry appears to be weathering the recession well. Our vessel was at capacity, as were other ships from other major lines that we met along the way. And it’s not hard to figure out why. These floating cities have all the modern amenities, from Broadway shows to specialty shopping, and you wake up each morning in a new, tropical paradise without having to pack a bag. These luxury liners also have state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and group packages are extremely reasonable. As far as unique meeting venues with an amazing built-in reward component go, the cruise industry would have to be one of the best international options at the moment.

Another overseas destination offering great value is Great Britain. I can hear you groan, “But, Britain is so expensive!” It’s actually 25% cheaper now than it was a year ago, as a result of a weakened pound. I should know after spending a day in one of NY’s finest recording studios helping twenty of the top US tour operators write and record ‘Gotta Go To Britain, I Wanna Go Now!’ What they lacked in vocal technique, they made up for in lyric writing and enthusiasm. They also had the help of David Bowie’s guitarist and Aerosmith’s producer. So, if you’ve always wanted an excuse to see Big Ben, Wimbledon and the Queen -now’s the time to go.

We think we’ve got it tough here in the US with all the financial doom and gloom. Spare a thought for Pakistan and Thailand! The head of Pakistan tourism recently declared tourists had nothing to fear from visiting Pakistan and highlighted the country’s many cultural and natural attractions. Shortly after his plea to the global travel industry, Paksitani militants killed 24 people and injured 300 in Lahore. Thailand is also having a hard time with recent political unrest, however they have an easier road to recovery. They’ve begun an aggressive advertising campaign to restore their normally thriving leisure and business travel industry by offering visitors limited travel insurance at no cost.

So cruising the Caribbean, Pimms on the Thames, or a tropical beach in Phuket are all providing great value overseas at the moment. Pakistan might just have to wait awhile yet.

Andy Sharpe is Director, Song Division in New York.