Hobby plans changing with lowering exchange rate?

[breadman]

I've been watching the canadian exchange rate plumit the last few month's. Its dropped from its average of 1.42 down to its current rate of 1.19. This post isnt asking 'why'....that's a whole different issue. I'd like to address the tourist loss's. Also, while the exchange rate for canada has dropped, the exchange rate for mexico has risen considerably.

What im asking is this: Are hobby plans for those outside of Canada being altered with this lower exchange rate?

So will tourism to city's in Canada drop with the exhange rate? Montreal has a slight edge with their lower hobby costs with the low end agency's. The high end agency's might suffer considerably. Toronto is basically a high middle to a high end base.....with no lower agency's worth mentioning. Lower being 160 or under.

Mexico on the other hand....their exchange rate is rising. Over 11 peso's to the dollar, up from 9 a year ago. Prague/Budapest is still very reasonable although their rates have risen lately.

Myself, id still consider trips to Montreal but just for the low end talent. Toronto is iffy but is still a great city to visit. But im looking at trying trips to florida, mexico and europe now that the canadian exchange rate has dropped.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Breadman,

That is terrible news. Although I am not happy with the current exchange rate, I think I will still focus primarily on Montreal for hobbying since the choices are better than in some of the other locations you mentioned. The other factor with Montreal is the lack of any LE concerns at least with outcall escorts.

With respect to Florida, I will be travelling there as well this winter. I have travelled to Florida extensively and you should be forewarned that the Tampa area is reknowned for rip off artists. Do a search on TER and you will find a disproportionate amount of rip offs in that area. The best bet in Florida for hobbying is the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area which has a lot of choices and several pretty good agencies.

 

[breadman]

Montreal and Toronto are still on the top of the list, but all the HDH's are definately 95% off the list....gotta leave 5% in case i change my mind. But there's no way im paying $300 to $400 cad for a HDH that hasnt been reviewed by someone i completely trust. HDH's have to be feeling a bit of hurting right about now.

 

[donnyb]

I am very surprised with this news regarding the 1.19 exchange rate. This will make me consider changing my plans a bit when I will be in town shortly.

I think that below 1.20, it has a much greater psychological effect than when it hovers slightly above it.

I hope you are correct in that the HDH agencies might start taking this into consideration. I hope it is not like the case where the prices of gasoline continues to skyrocket in California and people still have not really considered changing their habits.

 

[kandy&kink]

I still think Montreal is cheaper even if the rate as changed. And the selection of agencies and SP here is still one the best in North America. And EB is right about local LE who kind of closes an eye on outcall escorts.

Kandy&Kink

 

[breadman]

Yes, Montreal is still a good deal. If it stays this low id still make the trip, but cut my spending considerably. Alcohol is double what my city is...so id have to buy more and drink a few before heading out (that reminds me....i owe Special K some beer....drank a bunch of his). Stripclubs would still get a visit, but dances would have to be passed upon. And even though id love to try out a HDH the money just might not be there....

 

[EagerBeaver]

More

Bud,

In early July of 2002, your $1000(USD) would have gotten you more than $1500(CDN).

It is disgusting and in some respects unfair. We helped create the HDH market in Montreal and now we may be powerless to sustain it.

 

[vmlinuz]

I'd blame Bush for our economic downfall....
Anyhoo, an alternative place is South America, B.A. to be exact.

 

[Matelot]

The US Dollar decline is bad news for all of us but Canada is still a good deal at an exchange rate of 1.19 (if you don’t compare it to the past). If the US dollar continues falling, you may see a gradual decline in the number of visitors and a resulting decline in the cost of services. For now, I think I’d still be visiting Montreal for the following reasons: I feel safe in Montreal, I have relatives in the city and the girls there, in addition to the good looks, are fairly intelligent.

We had it good when we were handed premiums of 50% to our Dollar. I have a suspicion Bush will be more fiscally responsible in his second term. He can't possibly burn money the way he did during his first four years.

 

[dubneerg]

With the U.S dollar declining in Canada, and the abcense of hockey, and the increase in gas prices in the U.S. My drive is 3-1/2 hrs. from upstate N.Y. has definately altered my winter plans for hobbying in Montreal........I love Montreal and it's culture....but it is almost cheaper for me to see escorts in my own area.....and luckily for me there has been an increase in independent escorts in the Albany area at reasonable prices.......Thats where I stand on this issue.

 

[Norman Paperman]

Exchange Rate/ Cost Of Hobbing.

Montreal is no longer the bargin it was, for the last year Puerto Plata the DR, and Costa Rica have been my playground. Having a friend in Montreal, he recently told me that hotels and some bars are hurting, because of less US tourists. Dubneerg, I live in Albany, and feel Metroland has a lot of BS, so please if you have a number or two of a good escoet e-mail me. Thank you.

 

[Uncle Kracker]

The exchaqnge rate going down sucks something awful, but Montreal will still be my spot for fun.

 

[mrtaiwan]

Great places always become more expensive to visit over time. I've watched this happen a number of times in the USA and Asia, and now, Montreal.

Look at all the construction going on in downtown Montreal; other people want in on the economic success and lifestyle. Housing prices are coming close to parity with the USA and everything else will do the same.

Montreal is still a bargain for North America because the only place that compares for breadth of culture, public transport, excellent food, etc. is New York City.

If you want cheaper prices you can follow me to China.

mrtaiwan

 

[EagerBeaver]

Exchange Rate

P2BW,

This issue has been raised in another thread. I believe the consensus of the responses is that some American hobbyists who typically patronize the Montreal HDH market will consider other hobbyist destinations, and some will also consider LDL market offerings as well. For me, I am not happy with the loss of spending power, but I can still afford HDH and it will really come down to who interests me more than the price.

 

[EagerBeaver]

It's Still Going Down

Hey guys,

Bad news for my American brethren, the rate is now fluctuating downwards from 1.19 to between 1.17 (high) and as low as 1.12 one day last week. We are headed towards par between the American and Canadian dollars, and it could happen in 2005.

Even worse was the lecture I had to endure from a John Kenneth Galbraith wannabe at one of the exchange places on St. Catherine Street. An Asian looking guy, probably enrolled at McGill and studying economics, who proceeded to give me his doctoral thesis on why the U.S. dollar losing its strength is so wonderful for not only the global economy but also the American economy. Before I vomited on his window, I politely excused myself so I could go and spend the Canadian monies I had just purchased.

 

[Robert Gilette]

A good bang for your buck

If you have 2 to 3 weeks i recommend Thailand . A good friend of mine is there from October to January and he is having a blast . He will post a complete review in here when he comes back .

PM me if you want details

Robert G

 

[daydreamer41]

The decreasing dollar is unofficial US policy at the moment. It may not be a good policy. The theory is a lower US dollar creates cheaper US goods overseas and decreases the US trade deficit. But there is one problem with this theory. The largest US import is from China. The Chinese are in no position to start buying US. Their economy, while hot, is not on the par of developed nations. The European market may open up to US imports, but it won't put a dent in the trade deficit with China. The solution is not simple. The US is addicted to cheap imports sold at Walmart, etc.

 

[donnyb]

Personally, the decrease in the US dollar has really affected my hobbying experiences.

I guess it will make the decision for one to cut back much easier.

When I was in town recently, it was down to 1.13--which was almost at a 1:1 ratio, relatively speaking.

When one factors in airfare, hotel and accommodations, car rental in my case, food, and the 15% sales tax on everything we purchase, all of a sudden, the trip up north doesn't seem all that appealing anymore.

Since I have to cut back drastically, this has given me more incentive to begin posting on several reviews that I have held back from posting. Who knows how long I could afford to keep hobbying.

 

[donnyb]

Quote:
______________________________________________
Originally quoted by Annik:
My experience thus far is not a decrease in the demand for my time, however most of my clients are in Montreal on business and will continue to visit Montreal as long as their business brings them here. I am not sure about the number of gents who visit Montreal, or Canada for that matter solely to hobby. I know that it is not locals who keep my bills paid! Yes, I do have a few clients here, but I would say that 80% are visitors.

I think most of the ladies who are HDH probably see a good deal of out-of-towners who will continue to visit for business reasons and continue to see those ladies. The great thing about business trips is that I doubt the airfare, car rental or hotel will be an out-of-pocket expense.
______________________________________________________________

I am not surprised that the bulk of your clientele consists mostly of business travelers, as is the case with most indies and HDH agencies in MTL. Since a lot of their expenses are not out of pocket, except for hobbying itself, I am convinced that they are not as affected by the exchange rate reduction as the rest of the leisure travelers.

However, for average folks as myself, it really does drastically change our perspectives.

In any case, good for you that your business will not be affected all that much.

As for me, it's a good time to slowly depart the hobby. It's tough I tell ya, but we all gotta do what we gotta do.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Not So Fast, donnyb

donnyb,

Being a hobbyist is like being a vampire, you have no choice in the matter, and you are in it for life. I refer you to Al Pacino's famous line in Godfather III, "I keep trying to get out, but they keep pulling me back in.............."