Dear Editor,
Re: “Tram study not worth the money,” Letters, Sept. 15.
While I heartily agree that social services and infrastructure are of great importance, there is one major flaw in the reasoning behind this letter.
Tourism is the single biggest economic driver on the planet.
If your municipality has something tourists want to see, they will come — and they will pay for it.
The one truly unique thing that every community has is its history, even if it seems to have similarities to other nearby places. Note that Vancouver is absolutely abysmal at historical attractions, so here is an opportunity Richmond can exploit.
Historic artefacts cannot be invented or mass produced. They are, by their nature, limited in number and therefore present opportunities that can’t be revisited at a later date.
BC Electric Tram No.1220 is a treasure, and could in fact become an attraction that can bring in more tourist dollars, making social services less expensive to local taxpayers.
While it should always be a concern how our elected officials spend our money, that which is spent on tourism always comes back to the community many times over.
By all means, let your elected officials know your concerns, but never forget that tourism is the best win-win situation you could have. Everybody gets what they want — and tourism pays most of it. It’s good for local business, too. And if you present it well, those smiling tourists will return and tell their friends and family what a great place Richmond is.
P. H. Finch
Vancouver
