argument42 旅游推广 [Shining Sep]

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TOPIC: ARGUMENT42 - The following appeared in a proposal from the economic minister of the country of Paraterra.

"In order to strengthen its lagging economy, last year the government of the nearby country of Bellegea began an advertising campaign to promote ecologically sound tourism (ecotourism). This year the number of foreign visitors arriving at Bellegea's main airport doubled, and per capita income in Bellegea increased by ten percent. To provide more income for the population of Paraterra and also preserve the natural environment of our tiny country, we too should begin to promote ecotourism. To ensure that our advertising campaign is successful, we should hire the current director of Bellegea's National Tourism Office as a consultant for the campaign."
WORDS:402          TIME: 0:45:00          DATE: 2006-8-20

In this argument, the economic minister proposes that Paraterra should hire the begin to promote ecotourism and hire the current director of Bellefea's National Tourism Office as a consultant for the compampain. To substantiate it, the minister points out Bellegea's visitors and its citizen's income have increased. It seems logical on the surface, however, the propose relies on a serious of unproven assumption, which renders it unconvincing as it stands.

A threshold assumption in the proposal upon which the minister relies on is Bellegea's economy has improved due to ecotourism. Unfortunately, the minister fails to provide sufficient evidence. On one hand, some alternative explanations may result in the doubled number of foreign visitors in Bellegea's airport. Chances are that, majority of them are coming to take part in a meeting or other large activity rather than tour. On the other hand, we cannot simply contribute the increased income to tourism, in that it is entirely possible the development of other industries such as agriculture and technology lead to the higher income. Without taking other possible alternatives into account, the proposal is unpersuasive.

Moreover, the proposal is based on a false analogy, the minister simply assumes that what have been successful in Bellegea will be also effective in Paraterra. But the minister provides no evidence to support. The native condition of Paraterra may vary considerably from Beleggea, for instance, maybe Bellegea does not have attractive resources for tourism as Peraterra, or perhaps the tranportation and location are not so go as Bellegea for developoing tourism. Either of the scenarios, if true, will undermine the proposal.

Even assuming Bellegea benefits from ecotoursim and its succesful experiece can apply to Paraterra. The minister fails to provide evidence that hiring the director of Bellegea's national tourism office as a consultant will promote the advertisement. It is likely that the director played little effect in the Bellegea's advertisment, and advertisement has little influence on Bellegea's tourists. Hence, lacking more information concerning the function the consultant will play in the advertisement, the minister cannot convincing me that hiring the director is a appropriate chioce.

In sum, the proposal has several flaws. To strengthen it, the arguer must provide better evidence that ecotourism leads to Bellegea's increase in economy. To better evaluate the proposal, I need to know more regarding the similarities between the two countries, i also need to know the whether Paraterra needs the director or not.