Thursday, January 20, 2000

Mir Hotel

Walt Anderson, the US venture capitalist and backer of the Mir Space Station has suggested that the Mir Station could be converted into a tourist attraction. He estimates that the first holiday would cost $40m but thereafter the price would fall to "a more reasonable $20-$25m". Sales of such holidays in the EU would of course be subject to the Package Travel Directive!

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Criticism of the Scottish Tourist Board

The Forum of Private Business has attacked the "deplorable attitude" of the Scottish Tourist Board follwing a survey into how the STB's services are perceived by the tourist trade. 40% of respondents rated the STB as poor or very poor. 80% believe that the Government does not understand the tourism industry. The Scottish Parliament has called for a root and branch reform of tourism development services in Scotland.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Pilot Fined for being Drunk

A Royal Air Maroc pilot was prevented from flying by officials at Schipol Airport after security officials noticed that he was staggering on his way to fly his plane to Tangiers. There were 125 passengers on board. He was found to have four times the level of alcohol permitted for driving in the Netherlands. He was fined NGL 2500 ($1000).

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Riots Hit Lombok Holiday Resort

Indonesian troops have been instructed to shoot rioters in a bid to halt the religious riots that have plagued the tourist island in mid-January. Gangs of Muslim youths have attacked Christians, their homes and their property and have tried to seize the ferry terminal at Mataram. Some hotels have put up Muslim prayer mats and pro-Muslim signs to attempt to ward off attackers. The Australian Government has airlifted its tourists from the island and other tourist nationals fled to neighbouring Bali. The unrest in Lombok has spresd to other islands and is causing serious damage to the Indonesian Tourism Industry.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Agreement on Tourism

The Greek Foreign Minister, Yeoryios Papendreou, arrived in Ankara on 20 January 2000 to discuss and sign agreements between the two states on investment, tourism and anti-terrorism measures.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Killing of French Tourists

The killing of three French children on holiday in North East Namibia early in January has led to a serious fall-off in business for the tourist industry. Safari lodges in Caprivi and Kavago have had to dismiss staff and close.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

European Aid for Tourism

The European Commission has warned the National Assembly of Wales that the principality could suffer a shortfall in overall funding (which includes funding for tourism projects). Although the Berlin Summit in March 1999 allocated €1.85 bn to the South Wales Valleys and West Wales over a 6 year period, this requires the Government to match funds £ per £. Furthermore, because of currency fluctuations the value of the grant has fallen to €1.15bn. The failure of the minority Labour Administration in Wales to match funding is expected to lead to a motion of "no confidence" by the main opposition party, Plaid Cymru (the Welsh Nationalist Party)

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Beatles Sign Rejected

The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions have rejected the city of Liverpool's request that road signs leading to the city should state "Liverpool - Birthplace of the Beatles" on the grounds that it would distract drivers. The Road Traffic Act permits brown and white road sigs to indicate routes to tourist attractions. The city's tourist office has appealed against the decision to the Secretary of State for Culture, Chris Smith.

(Originally posted by John Downes)