Slump in Tourist Arrivals

Nepal has experienced a 10% decline in tourist arrivals in 1999, with a 30% decline in the important Indian market. Tourism is an important industry for the mountain kingdom and the principal source of foreign currency. The reasons given for the decline is the number of general strikes, including threatened strikes in the hotel sector. The highjacking of the Indian airlines plane at Kathmandu in 1999 also deterred some visitors.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Bathing Water Directive

The Bathing Water Directive 1976 is to be reviewed. A key aim is to improve information available to the public. It will also bring in more robust standards. the new proposal is expected to be published in June or July 2001. See http://europa.eu.int/water/water-bathing/index_en.html

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Airlines Price Fixing to be Reviewed

The Commission issued a consultation paper on 8 February 2001 indicating that it intends to review the block exemption from EU Competition Rules given to airlines.This would affect the "passenger tariff conferences" held by IATA to deal with interlining agreements. The exemption will continue until June 2002 when the new policy should be announced. See
http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/antitrust/others/#consultation_interlining_feb_2001

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Languages

A Eurobarometer survey (16000 people in EU interviewed) reveals that English is the most widely-spoken second language in the EU (41%). 53% have a second language. French is second in the league (19%), German (10%) and Spanish (7%). 2001 is European Year of Languages.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

IATA: Deep Vein Thrombosis and Air Travel

IATA Director General, Pierre J Jeanniot, stated in letters to the Vice President of the European Commissioner and Commissioner for Transport, Mme Loyola de Palacio and US Secretary of Transport, Mr Norman Mineta, "At the present time, there is no conclusive medical evidence supporting the alleged connection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with long distance travel. Nonetheless, a number of further studies are underway and IATA Members are very much aware of the need to minimise any potential risks". IATA is organising a worldwide conference on cabin health in Geneva 17-18 May 2001.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

STB Chief Stands Down

Lord Gordon, chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board, has stood down, following a troubled year for the Scttish tourism sector. The number of foreign visitors to Scotland fell by 11% in 1999. The First Minister of Scotland, Henry McLeish, commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers to undertake an independent review of the STB. The Report recommended a radical shakeup and a change of name to "visitscotland".

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Afghahistan: Statues of Budha Attacked

It has been reported that the Taleban have begun the demolition of two statues of the Budha, the largest rock hewn in the world. The statues date back to 2-5th centuries, when Afghanistan was an important centre of Budhism. The Taleban have condemned the statues as "idols" and an "insult to Islam". They have also begun to destroy statues in the country's museums. UNESCO chief, Koichiro Matsuura, has condemned these as acts of vandalism.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Internal Market for Transport Services

The EU Lisbon Summit on 23-24 March set as one of its objectives the setting of a strategy for removing barriers to the provision of transport services and further liberalization in the sector.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Launch of New EU Website on E-Commerce

The EC Commission has launched a new interactive website so that the public can track latest developments in the EU's eEurope initiative and to encourage debate on e-commerce and access to the Internet. An on-line forum is also being planned to promote ADR in business and consumer disputes involving e-commerce. The website can be accessed at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/information_society/eeurope/index_en.htm (Source: IP/00/320 and IP/00/312)

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Working Time Directive Extended to Transport Workers

Agreement has been reached to extend the Working Time Directive to a further 5 million workers in the EU. The decision was taken on April 3 and will now cover rail workers and those involved in air, road and inland waterway transport. They will have a right to rest periods, a limit on working hours per week and a minimum of 4 weeks' annual leave.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

IATA Initiatives on Disruptive Passengers

A Memorandum of Understanding and a set of IATA Guidelines have been adopted by by the major airlines and airports authorities to address the problem of disruptive passengers. An IATA Seminar in Geneva on 23 March attracted 140 delegates from 64 airlines and other industry associations. Protocols adopted by Gatwick Airport's Disruptive Passenger Action Group were put to those attending as good practice. The UK and Canada have launched public awareness campaigns to make clear what type of behaviour will not be tolerated and the legal and other consequences for those who engage in it.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Dutch Bordello to Sue for Right to Open Branch at Airport

he Dutch Bordello, Yab Yum, threatened to sue for the right to provide a "relax service" at Schipol Airport for tired travellers. Schipol Airport had rejected their request as inappropriate to the overall philosophy of the airport.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Tourism Minister may Face Charges

A Congressional Committee will determine on April 10 whether to remove immunity from prosecution from Tourism Minister, Oscar Espinosa. Mr Espinosa faces allegations of corruption amounting to 45 million dollars when Mayor of Mexico City.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Radical Changes to Liquor Licensing Law

The Home Secretary has unveiled plans on April 10 to biggest changes to Liquor Law in England and Wales since 1915 (Scotland has its own system). These proposals include the removal of fixed opening hours and restrictions on Sunday opening. Those restrictions are thought to have encouraged binge drinking. There would also be greater access to pubs for children. This latter measure would reflect mainland European practise and is thought will encourage tourism.
Responsibility for licensing would be transferred from magistrates courts to local government authorities. They would be empowered to impose conditions such as the use of closed circuit TV, employment of registered security guards and soundproofing of premises.
The new law would also contain tough penalties for those engaged in violent or drunken behaviour and those who run unrully premises.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

Radical Reform of EU Institutions & Procedures

The EC Commission has prepared a paper on radical reform for the Inter-Governmental Conference in February. This is needed if the enlargement proposals are to work. It proposes a maximum of 20 Commissioners nominated in rotation by Member States. It also recommends that the existing 700 limit be maintained for membership of the European Parliament and the use of Qualified Majority Voting as the norm for Council meetings. Further details are available at http://europa.eu.int/igc2000/index_en.htm

(Originally posted by John Downes)

IATA Criticise Europan Transport Ministers Meeting Re the Air Traffic Management System

IATA stated that, though the Meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the 38 ECAC States in Brussells was helpful its outcome was inadequate. There is need for more action to reduce delays and to build a safe, efficient and cost- effective ATM system. IATA supports EC membership of EUROCONTROL. It also supports the EC Commission's decision to form a high level group to build a Single European Sky. It calls for strengthened capacity planning by EUROCONTROL and has criticised the capacity targets set for summer 2000 and 2001.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

World: Tourism Sector Growth

The tourism sector is recovering from the doldrums brought about by the Asian economic crisis. The WTO's preliminary figures show international tourist arrivals in 1999 at 665-670 million, a growth of 4-5%. There has been robust growth in the European outbound travel to other European destinations, North America, North Africa and Asia. The Asian outbound market is also recovering. Tunisia and Morocco have both experienced growth rates of 12%, Southern France 10% and Spain 9%. The Latin American outbound market remains in the doldrums, however.

(Originally posted by John Downes)

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)