Tsunami Recovery Program

The World Travel and Tourism Council has reported that the economic slump in South East Asia led to a loss of approximately 2m jobs in the industry and at least $7billion. At the ASEAN meeting in Singapore, the Minister for Trade and Industry. Lee Yock Suan, urged the public and private sectors to work closely together to promote the region's attractions, as tourism is critical to the region's recovery.

(Originally posted John Downes)

Government

In February, the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament voted to legalise brothels for the first time since 1912. Whilst prostitution was already legal, brothels were merely tolerated. Those promoting the new law argued that it would make it harder for criminals to use sex clubs as a cover and for illegal immigrants to work there.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Jamaica

The Jamaican army is to be deployed at tourist resorts to crack down on crime and harassment of tourists. The measure followed a recommendation from the Jamaican Hotel and Tourist Association. The Opposition has criticised the measure as detrimental to the country's image and point to a dramatic decrease in the number of crimes against tourists in the last 6 years.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

China and Cambodia

The Chinese and Cambodian Governments have signed two accords, one on economic co-operation, the other on tourism. This followed the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, to Beijing in March.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

British Dependent Territories

The UK Government has announced that it intends to give citizens of the British Dependent Territories the right of abode in the UK. This will apply to approximately 150 000 people in the following territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Pitcairn Island, Saint Helena and its dependencies and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The people of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar already have this right. In exchange, these territories will have to change some of their laws to meet international standards on law enforcement co-operation, money laundering, transparency and independent financial regulation. They will also have to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Heathrow Airport Extension

The four-year public enquiry into the building of a fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport ended on 17 March 1999. The cost of the enquiry is estimated at £80m ($128m), with over 700 witnesses and yet a decision on whether to go ahead with the terminal will not be made until after the report is submitted in March 2001. The earliest possible date for completion of the terminal is 2006.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Lord Denning

Lord Denning, of Jarvis v Swan Tours fame, died at the age of 100 on 5 March 1999. He was one of the best known and, for many, greatest English judges of the twentieth century. He was famed for his clear, succinct style in giving judgement. He described his approach to his role, "If there is any rule of law which impairs the doing of justice, then it is the province of the judge to do all that he legitimately can to avoid that rule – or even to change it – so as to do justice in the instant case before him. He need not wait for the legislature to intervene".

(Originally posted by John Downes)