Mr Badiola now holds another important position in the city of Tijuana, as of no more than two months ago, through political influence, he became president of COTUCO, Tijuana's committee on tourism and conventions. The half private, half City organization is comprised of 31 different associations of street vendors, hotel owners, motel owners, tourist transportation organizations and many other hospitality related groups.
As his first grand idea to promote tourism to Tijuana, Badiola did something that in my opinion can only be considered as one of the biggest flops in the history of city. Badiola would build a Hollywood rip off ''Walk of Fame'' in front on the historic Jai Alai building on Revolution Ave, once called ''the most visited street in the world'' back in Tijuana's days of tourist glory but now in the process of adapting to locals and reinventing itself. Tijuana's first star would be given to Laura Pausini, an Italian pop singer that is a one hit wonder from the 1990's. The very few people in the city that even knew about it are still trying to figure this one out.
Tijuana is a city that was built by tourism, and tourists were the principal economic lifeline for the city for over half a century. Drug violence, sensationalist media coverage of violence, September 11, 2001 and the economic downfall of 2008 left the streets empty of tourists. Hollywood, on the other hand, is the city that invented fame as we know it today and the world wide capital for the film, television and music industries. Downtown Tijuana has gone through a revolution of local, DIY entrepreneurs, movers, shakers, artists, culinary artists and startup companies that have gained international notoriety in the some of the world's leading culinary shows and publications like the "New York Times". The city and to be specific, Revolución Avenue, is in the process of reinventing itself though these entrepreneurs. Yes, you can still find rip offs of Oakley glasses, Disney cartoons and designer handbag knock offs but no one is really buying them. Mr. Badiola's idea for a walk of fame is exactly that, a rip off of something that already exists and no one is buying; certainly no one is headed down south to the walk of fame to see a irrelevant Italian Pop singer's star. Badiola is a prime example of the obvious disconnect between leadership and the entrepreneurs that are putting the city back on the map with their innovative ideas.
Mexican idol and the country's only revered and accepted gay icon, singing legend Juan Gabriel, has already told the Tijuana Walk of Fame '' thanks but no thanks'', citing fatigue as the reason he could not attend the ceremony and thus no star for "Juan Ga". Social media opponents to the Walk of Fame spread the story like wildfire and in a attempt to mock the idea, created stars of their own to replace Juan Gabriel's no-star. Los Macuanos, a Tijuana/SanDiego based trio of musicians who through visual creations of political violence and anti government lyrics, made a fake star, were congratulated and asked for statements by three different media outlets that obviously fell for the internet prank, only adding to the confusion and controversy of why the TJ Walk of Fame even exists.
Internet news of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce planning a cease a desist order have spread on social media and the second star, singer's Jose Jose's, was changed in design as the first star was a complete knock off of the Hollywood stars. In attempt to find out the truth, my colleague and SanDiegoRed reporter Jorge Guevara, called the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (group in charge of Hollywood walk of Fame) for a statement. Guevara spoke to Ana Martinez, Vice President, Media Relations/Producer, Hollywood Walk of Fame and she stated that they were aware of the Tijuana Walk of fame, not related in any way, and had not been approached by the City of Tijuana, and that a statement was pending.
It is rumored that COTUCO president Mr. Badiola is seeking political aspirations as most that have had the tourism position have used it as a stepping stone for a political career. It is also rumored that Badiola, even though in charge of tourism in a City with just as many English speakers as Spanish, does not speak English very well. Mr. Badiola, I would like to teach you a phrase in English, it's called Copyright/Trademark infringement. If the rumors of Badiola's political aspirations are true, there is no doubt this idea was based on gaining fame for himself but this idea will live in infamy forever as one of the worst ideas ever for the City of Tijuana.
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