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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6411804.html
It just figures -- thats all I can say -- that the fourth-largest city
in the country wouldnt automatically make it on the list of places
vying to be Americas Favorite City.
No, Houston has to audition even to be in the running for the Travel +
Leisure title.
Every other major Texas city -- Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and
Austin -- automatically qualified for the finals, without being forced
through any prelims.
In fact, H-Town is the only one of the countrys Top 10 largest cities
that has to go through a screening process to make it onto the real
survey. (One exception: No. 10 San Jose hasnt even been picked for the
screening process.)
And, as of this week, in online public voting to decide which five
cities get added to the survey, were not even leading the pack.
Houston is running third, behind Providence, R.I., for heavens sake, a
city of just over 172,000. Running first is Cleveland.
Our other competition: Anchorage, Alaska; Baltimore; Detroit; Kansas
City; Memphis, Tenn.; Salt Lake City and St. Louis.
So, what gives? Is this another East Coast media conspiracy? Is Houston
being judged yet again on our humble swampland roots? Did Dallas pay
somebody off?
None of the above. As it turns out, its our own fault.
As Travel + Leisure spokeswoman Jill Davison tells it, the Bayou City
was indeed one of the seminal cities included in the third year of the
survey in 2004. Back then, there wasnt a title of one best city but
recognition for categories such as best for dining or for people-watching.
But given a chance to compete with the big boys, Houston, well, didnt.
The response was lukewarm, Davison said, putting it to me gently. We
didnt get the kind of response that wed hoped for.
Dallas takes it seriously
Not only did Houstonians fail to turn out and vote online, but when
they did, they werent exactly singing the citys praises.
In the category of people-watching, for instance, among the 25 cities
in the survey that year, Las Vegas was voted the best city. The worst?
Houston. On transportation, Portland, Ore., was best. Worst? Houston.
On honeymoons, Honolulu was best. Worst? Well, you get the picture.
So, because of Houstons dismal performance, the folks at Travel +
Leisure decided to kick us out of the contest and replace us with ...
Dallas.
Ouch.
The folks of Big D apparently took the competition seriously. And, of
course, they would, being a more showy, superficial, image-conscious
sort. They showed up in force in online voting and said good things
about their city.
Then, Houstonians began to complain to the magazine. And of course, we
would, being the thin-skinned, self-conscious sort.
The outcry from Houston was so great, said the magazines executive
online editor Rich Beattie, that it became the impetus for the prelims.
Chance for redemption
Travel + Leisure decided to add five new cities to the list considered
for the top title and let online voters pick them.
Houston has a chance of redeeming itself, said Davison, though she
warned: I think youve got to keep the pressure on.
Some cities, such as Providence, she pointed out, have launched
full-scale offensives.
One of the first things to catch your eye on Providences tourism site
is a clickable promo for the magazines contest.
Nothing comparable on Houstons Convention and Visitors Bureau site,
but in recent weeks, marketing director Lindsey Brown has been sending
around e-mail, in the spirit of Stephen Colberts space-station
room-naming campaign, encouraging Houstonians to vote, and vote often.
(Yes, its OK to vote as many times as youd like.)
So, my fellow Houstonians, or former Houstonians, or people who came
here once on business and liked it, if youre proud of this place, go
to this Web site and vote to restore the Bayou City to its rightful
place in the world of magazine-selling stunts.
Voting ends May 15.
Remaking Houstons image doesnt start in some New York magazine
office. It starts at home, at your computer. With your most conditioned
clicky finger!
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