My rock-solid prediction for 2010: Gainesville will continue to suck at promoting itself.

How do I know that (apart from years of depressing experience)? From the Gainesville Times and one of our tourism leaders:

"We want to look at some of the things that we think have been underutilized, like the Solar System tour ... It’s my understanding that there are very few, if any, of those in the United States so we think that could be a real selling point for Gainesville."

No, no, no, no, no! And no again! Our city honestly thinks that a few plaques alongside a path is a real selling point? Its a nice walk, not a tourist attraction.

Also in the article you'll find:

• Admissions that downtown still needs to attract "the right businesses". If you've been downtown lately you'll know what they mean.
• Hints of strained relations with the Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau which the city just abandoned to manage their own tourism.
• A long list of tasks that will be dumped at the doorstep of these tourism officials, none of which will get done successfully.

Unless the city is serious about reforming licensing laws and reducing rents, downtown will never come back.

Unless the city is serious about working with other agencies to pool resources and bring in better ideas, we'll continue to promote half-assed tourist attractions.

Expect to see Dahlonega, Helen and other local cities continue to power ahead of Gainesville for years to come ...