Troubled times

Oh dear - the Tourism Minister walking out of an industry reception, the Chairman of Visit Britain on the Today programme bemoaning the lack of funds to do a decent job, the IPS figures showing a slump in visitors, oh and there's ANOTHER review of tourism - its all going swimmingly. It's so easy to get caught up in all of this and think it really matters. One of my favourite videos of all time is called 'The Man who Planted Trees' - in essence a story about the difference one person can make by setting themselves a course that is right and keeping going. Ministers will come and go (and Tourist Boards come and go even faster) but the fundamental point is that quality, enthusiasm and passion is what matters in the end. Yes it would be nice if we had a government that gave a damn, but maybe we should just assume that they don't and they won't. One hour a week less with them and one hour a week more making our own bit of the universe better and maybe we can change the world.