THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407280507
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Gov. George F. Allen and first lady Susan Allen headed home Wednesday from a nine-day trade mission to Canada and Mexico during which she played a prominent role in efforts to boost Virginia tourism.
She met with about 20 leading tourism operators in Mexico City Tuesday, the last full day of business on the trip. The governor was scheduled to meet with Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, but there was no word on whether the meeting took place, said Jonathan Baron, a spokesman in the governor's office in Richmond.
The Allens also canceled a second satellite interview with reporters in Virginia scheduled for Tuesday, apparently because of technical problems, Baron said. The couple talked to reporters in a video news conference from Canada last week.
Susan Allen has two trade missions under her belt after traveling to South Africa in June. The governor could not accompany her because of previous commitments.
She won good reviews on that trip and in her meeting with the Mexican tourism officials.
``She's very knowledgeable, a nice person who approached us and greeted us. She doesn't stand on ceremony,'' said Maria del Rayo, internal account executive for United Airlines in Mexico City.
Susan Allen showed a video in Spanish promoting Virginia's major attractions from Colonial Williamsburg to the Potomac Mills shopping complex. She said Virginia ranks ninth nationally in tourism and her goal is to raise the ranking before her husband leaves office in 1998.
``Tourism is my background,'' she said in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch about her role on the trip. She worked in convention sales for two Charlottesville hotels and at Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of President James Monroe.
The governor described his wife as ``a working partner'' but disavowed any comparison between his wife and President Clinton's wife, Hillary.
``Hillary Clinton is making policy and attending Cabinet meetings, whereas Susan is supporting the efforts of this administration,'' he said.
The Allens were to land in Richmond Wednesday night after an all-day flight. Accompanying them on the trip were three Cabinet members, about a dozen other state employees and about 25 business executives who paid their own way. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Gov. George F. Allen
by CNB