Tourism agencies have a habit of defying that old saying: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
They re-brand old slogans such as the Friendly City of Moose Jaw. The Moose Jaw tourism body with city council approval changed the Moose Jaw brand to Surprisingly Unexpected.
That near tongue twister fell as flat as a three day old glass of beer. They redid it as the Notorious City.
Over in Regina the tourism agency, called REAL, decided to shift from the Queen City brand to Experience Regina.
That fell like a stale beer, too, when the powers that be used words from a bawdy song about Regina and vagina as a promotion.
To top it off, they posted this on Facebook with the phrase: Show us your Regina.
Those posts came down faster than a Russian missile hit by a drone when outraged residents spotted the sexist phrases. They demanded the REAL CEO resign.
Somebody with sauerkraut for brains approved the campaign even ordering a slew of shirts and merchandise with the slogan. All are trashed now.
Purpose of the slogan was to attract attention. That it did — garnering news features across North America, Europe and from late night TV show hosts.
The attention might bring tourists looking for a red light district.
Regina has another new controversial title to contend with — one of the top 25 bed bug infested cities in Canada, an annually prepared list by the Orkin pest control people.
Regina, the capital city, is the only Saskatchewan city among the top 25, sitting at number 23, and new to the list.
Number one bed bug capital of Canada is Toronto, for the second year in a row. Ottawa, also a capital city, moved from number 14 to number five.
Vancouver moved from number three to number two. Edmonton improved from 14 to 10. Calgary comes in at number 19, one up from 18 last year.
Winnipeg’s bed bugs are number 11, down from ninth.
The only other top 25 in Western Canada is Prince George, B.C., number 22, new to the list.
The online bed bug registry map — yes, it exists — shows Moose Jaw has the third largest infestation in the province after Saskatoon and the Queen City and before six other locations.
According to Orkin, the creepy little red critters can survive for months without a meal.
Buyers of used furniture should check for tell tale ink block type marks — egg clusters — and shed skins.
Travellers should check hot zones such as mattresses, behind base boards, nightstands, under picture frames and soft furniture in hotels.
Keep baggage closed and up high, preferably on metal racks.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
