:57:01
had failed to pull Flint
out of its depression.
:57:05
Just when it appeared
that all hope was lost...
:57:08
the city fathers came up
with one last great idea.
:57:12
You don't usually think of
tourist attraction when you think of Flint...
:57:16
but people here in Flint
would like to change that.
:57:18
And they're willing to go
to some pretty extreme lengths.
:57:21
Flint officials would like to see
the local tourist economy explode.
:57:27
Flint's Convention and Tourism
Bureau president...
:57:30
says visitors should take advantage
of Flint's convenient location.
:57:34
Millions of travelers pass by our doorstep.
:57:36
Now, with this active
and aggressive promotion...
:57:39
we'll be able to draw them into our city
and experience what we have to offer.
:57:46
As part of the plan
to attract tourism and conventions...
:57:49
the city spent $13 million in tax funds
to build a Hyatt Regency Hotel.
:57:56
Although most people in Flint were now
too poor to afford a room at the Hyatt...
:57:59
the hotel allowed the public
on opening day...
:58:02
to come and ride the city's only escalator.
:58:05
We put a luxury hotel
in the heart of our city...
:58:07
just like other cities
with their luxury hotels...
:58:10
with everything from the fountains
and high ceilings...
:58:13
the atrium lobby, to the large windows,
the large plants.
:58:17
The quality is there...
:58:19
what you would find
in Chicago, or Atlanta, or San Francisco.
:58:24
We've got some great facilities,
as far as places to stay...
:58:28
interesting places to see, museums...
:58:32
And it's a nice community to visit.
:58:47
Meet Mr. And Mrs. Roberts.
:58:49
They're two of the thousands of people...
:58:51
who decide to spend some time
at Genesee County each year.
:58:55
There's the sign. We're almost there.
:58:57
I can hardly wait to see some of the places
in the brochures.