Sparky Harper and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce adored travel writers because travel writers never wrote stories about street crime, water pollution, fish kills, beach erosion, refugees, AIDS epidemics, nuclear accidents, cocaine smugglers, gun-runners, or race riots. Once in a while, a daring travel writer would mention one of these subjects in passing, but strictly in the context of a minor setback from which South Florida was pluckily rebounding.
Sparky Harper and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce held a fond view of travel writers because these writers rarely covered negative topics like street crime, pollution, environmental issues, or social problems. Their stories mainly focused on the positive aspects of travel destinations, showcasing the region in a good light.
Occasionally, a travel writer might briefly mention challenges such as crime or pollution, but only as minor setbacks, emphasizing how South Florida was resilient and bouncing back. This selective storytelling helped promote a positive image of the area, avoiding the more troubling realities beneath the surface.
