February 29, 2016: Popular PBS travel and guidebook guru Rick Steves will give you some insight into travel — but more comments on his political and pro marijuana views — with a series of public appearances this year at several consumer travel shows. The shows also provide Steves an opportunity to merchandise his guidebook collection, travel destination DVD’s, travel gear and growing tour operations. Steves has turned his boyish neighborly style PBS exposure into a multi-million dollar business, now with over 100 staff to support his various travel enterprises. Granted his over priced guidebooks are some of the best in the business — and visit recommendations worth consideration — but the TC feels this one man dominated business is more focused these days on revenue — selling and branding — than on the customer service values that served consumer needs in past years. Travelers beware and shop around!
