Wine grapes, not indigenous to South America, found their way to the region through the lens of European exploration and settlement. The intricate dance between European explorers, missionaries, settlers, and the indigenous populations marked the inception of viticulture in this part of the world. Christopher Columbus’s 1498 exploration of South America‘s northern coastline triggered a surge […]
Uruguay’s Wine Evolution: From Jesuit Missionaries to Sommeliers
In the lush tapestry of Uruguay’s history, the seeds of viticulture and enology were sown by Jesuit missionaries in the 15th century. However, it wasn’t until the late 18th century that these seeds blossomed into a thriving wine industry. Navigating through the turbulent waters of the late 1800s to the 1930s, Uruguay‘s wine landscape weathered the storms […]
Politicians, Developers, Residents Navigate Casinos Menage a Trois
Some cities have wine trails, other cities have museum trails; New York City is developing its vice trails, from racinos and lotteries to marijuana on the streets and in Manhattan parks, the city is placing its bets on the future of New York by expanding the number and variety of vices available to residents and […]
Vice is Nice, But. Does Manhattan Need Casinos?
As New York City starts the process of accepting or rejecting casinos in multiple Manhattan zip codes, it is important to understand the relationship between casinos, public finance, economic development and politics. Casinos and Public Finance States legalize casino gambling primarily for tax revenues. What motivates governments to engage casino developers in casinos? Major drivers […]
Taking a Gamble: New York City’s Risky Proposition for Casino Hub in East Side of Manhattan
New York City stands at a critical crossroads, contemplating the transformation of a Manhattan east-side residential areas into a casino destination. Despite the grand vision, the lack of concrete evidence supporting the benefits of this proposal raises significant concerns. It is troublesome to see developers charging ahead without substantial research, and the potential drawbacks seem […]
New York City Tourism Today: Multifaced!
Tourism in New York is no longer all smiles and giggles. The facets of New York City’s tourism industry have changed. A New Yorker speaks out. As the largest metropolitan area in the United States, the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area has been a beacon for millions. However, beneath the surface of its bustling tourism […]