Latest figures show that reservations for the summer season in south-western France are down by on average 50% compared with those made last year following the Prestige oil disaster and the ensuing pollution. Foreign tourists are also said to be shunning the area, according to the report, in particular German visitors who are said to be particularly sensitive to the impact of environmental disasters such as that caused by the Prestige. Most beaches in the area remain closed except those in the Gironde area around Bordeaux, but are expected to be re-opened in time for the Easter holidays. Many local industries, such as the spa centres the region is famous for, have also been affected because of unfounded fears over polluted water, local reports say. Oyster producers have seen their sales drop by almost 40% during the Christmas period, while fish prices have plummeted by between 20% and 40% – even though their products remain unaffected by the oil pollution.
Category Archives: Sidebar
Airline News
While the Middle East conflict continues to hit air travel badly, Asian carriers are also feeling the effects of a mystery respiratory illness, similar to flu that originated in the region. Already some 50 deaths have occurred worldwide. The feeling is that the illness has been spread by air travel. Singapore Airlines has admitted it continues to see cancellations and a fall in bookings because of fears about the disease.
Italy’s national airline, Alitalia, is the latest major carrier to raise the price of its fares because of a 30% increase in fuel costs in the last 6 months. From March 15, Alitalia will charge an additional EUR6 (USD$6.60) on domestic tickets; EUR8 on international flights and EUR12 for inter-continental services.
Fares at Air Canada are to cost more. The airline is raising its fuel surcharge on domestic long haul flights from March 11. The new charges will also apply to services flown by Air Canada subsidiaries Jazz and Tango. The price of tickets on flights over 300 miles is go up by CAD$10 to CAD$25 (USD$17) each way. The surcharges will not apply to short haul services where the charge remains at CAD$15.
The European Parliament voted to overturn an agreement made between European airlines and US Customs officials. The agreement was to allow European airlines to give data on passengers flying to the US to US Customs. The European Parliament felt that this agreement infringed data protection rules.
Paris based French airline Air Jet, started in the 1980s has been put into receivership after filing for bankruptcy earlier this week. Jet used to fly charter services and code-share flights on behalf of Air France, and has suspended services from Paris to La Rochelle and St Etienne.
In response to military action in the Middle East, Delta has just announced capacity cuts of around 12 percent to both domestic and international routes (but not Delta Connection.) Delta is to postpone indefinitely the start of seasonal service between Boston and Rome and daily service between Cincinnati and Rome. Both were set to start on May 1.
With passenger numbers falling because of the Middle East conflict, British Airways has cut flights and trimmed staff as have US Airways, Alitalia, Japan Airlines System and Air France.
Currency Conversion
A recent UK survey for the Department for Education found that of over 1,000 adults, 30% felt unable to compare rates in exchange bureaux. A similar proportion said they were not comfortable converting foreign currency into sterling. Over a fifth of those surveyed admitted they had wrongly calculated how much they spent on holiday, with 12% saying they had run out of money.
The Globetrotters Club has just teamed up with Oanda.com to provide people with information about currency conversions and cheat sheets. To translate currency or make a cheat sheet, visit:
The Globetrotters Currency Converter — get the exchange rates for 164 currencies
The Globetrotters Currency Cheat Sheet — create and print a currency converter table for your next trip.
Mutual Aid
Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid
Be Careful . Africa
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office have just updated its advice for Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, referring to a high risk of terror attacks.
The FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) warns visitors to the three countries to be highly vigilant in all areas frequented by foreign visitors, including hotels, nightclubs, shopping centres and restaurants.
The website has been changed to underline the continued threat from terrorism: ‘The Foreign Office continues to receive information that Westerners are at risk from terrorist attacks in areas frequented by foreigners.
‘In particular there is a potential threat against western interests in Nairobi, Kenya.’
Despite the current warnings, the Foreign Office has stopped short of advising against all non-essential travel to the three countries.
Have you got a tale to tell??
If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites
Some Fan Mail!
Cheryl, from Canada wrote in to say: “just wanted to write and say “thanks” for putting me on the globetrotters list – I really enjoy the newsletter.
Hey, write to us – drop us a line, e-mail – we want to hear from you!
Being Careful – Advice: The US State Dept
Another global warning on terrorism has been given to Americans travelling abroad by the US State Department. This one is dated 7th February.
The worldwide caution replaces a similar warning made in November and reminds people to be aware of the dangers of a terrorist attack.
It asks travellers to remain vigilant due to a heightened threat of terrorist actions that may target civilians, including the possibility of attacks by non-conventional weapons. It also reminds American citizens travelling or living overseas to avoid demonstrations.
US citizens and interests are vulnerable to attacks, including those by groups with links to Al-Qaeda, says the government. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, assassinations or kidnappings.
The State Department goes on to say that while conventional weapons such as explosive devices pose a more immediate threat in many areas overseas, terrorist use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a growing threat.
These individuals and groups have proved that they do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because security and security awareness have been elevated within the United States, terrorists may target US interests overseas. Private Americans should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and exercise caution.
Attacks on places of worship and schools, and the murders of private American citizens and other westerners, demonstrate that as security is increased at official US facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek softer targets.
These may include facilities where Americans or possibly other foreigners are generally known to congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. Americans should increase their security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate. There is a possibility that American citizens may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination.
Demonstrations in many parts of the world may have an anti-American character. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn into confrontational situations and possibly escalate into violence. US citizens travelling or residing abroad should avoid demonstrations and take commonsense precautions.
The warning is due to expire on May 4.
So You Think You’re Well Travelled?
Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on airport codes. See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!
Which cities are served by airports with the following codes:
- DEN
- OSL
- SIN
- GIG
- KIN
For the answers, see at the end of the e-newsletter.
Americans travelling to or in Zimbabwe
A travel warning to American citizens in Zimbabwe urging them to leave the African country has been issued by the US government.
The US State Department says that Zimbabwe's current political, economic and humanitarian crises have serious implications for security and it recommends that people should consider leaving.
The warning says: “All US citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well being, including consideration of departure.”
The Zimbabwe government's appropriation of land from farmers and suppression of political opposition has helped to fuel a crisis, raising the possibility of violent protest.
What’s On When: March
The London Meetings co-ordinator sent notice of this wonderful exhibition to the Beetle: a major exhibition of internationally acclaimed Brazilian photographer, Sebastião Salgado, chronicles the human cost behind major political events. Featuring 350 haunting black and white photographs taken from Salgado’s renowned Migrations and Children series, it is a moving account of those displaced by conflict.
Venue: Barbican Gallery Location: Gallery floor, level 3 Open: 13 February – 1 June 2003 Mon, Tue, Thu-Sat 10am – 6pm; Wed 10am – 9pm; Sun & Bank holidays 12 noon – 6pm Tickets £7/ £5Please support Amnesty International’s work. Purchase a special ticket and £1 will be donated directly to Amnesty International. Tickets £8/£6 Full price tickets can be booked online, To purchase discounted tickets, please contact the Box Office on 020 7638 8891.
USA: New Orleans Mardi Gras 4 MarchThousands take to the streets of The Big Easy in a virtuoso display of fabulously colourful costumes and magical floats.
Winter Party March 1st to 10th March, Miami
1-10 March 2003 (every year) is the gay mecca that is South Beach, Miami; this famed party benefits the Dade Human Rights Foundation.
Source: What’s On When
Special Offer to Globetrotters at the 4 * Chateau de Béhen
French-Australian Chateau owner, M Norbert-Andre is offering a special offer till end March 2003: third night free if two nights with evening meals taken at the Chateau. Meals from 28 Euros per person incl. wine, 43 Euros per person incl. wine, champagne. There are golf facilities at 10 km, equestrian facilities on site plus car racing ring near Abbeville just 10 km away.
For more info, contact: Email: norbert-andre@cuvelier.com or take a look at http://www.cuvelier.com
Have you got a tale to tell??
If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites
Globetrotters Travel Award
Under 30? A member of Globetrotters Club? Interested in a £1,000 travel award?
Know someone who is? We have £1,000 to award each year for five years for the best submitted independent travel plan. Interested?
Then see our legacy page on our Website, where you can apply with your plans for a totally independent travel trip and we'll take a look at it. Get those plans in!!
Travel Quiz
Win a Trailblazer Handbook on Trekking in Corsica by David Abram who was a wonderful speaker at the London February Globetrotter meeting. See http://www.trailblazer-guides.com for info on Trailblazer guidebooks. They are an excellent series.
Some people have said the quiz is difficult, we say do some research, try google.com or Ask Jeeves, if you need help with the answers.
Fave Websites of the Month
Someone sent the Beetle a link to: http://travellady.com/, which is a travel web site that has lots of travel stories, book and food reviews.
They say: Welcome to TravelLady Magazine! Most people think professional travel and food writers are some of the luckiest people in the world. They visit exciting destinations and taste some of the best food. Now, the TravelLady experts will share some of their glorious times, but, they will also tell you about the places you want to avoid, the things you don't want to try, and the meals you never want to eat.
Stay Free in the UK
A new website offers an alternative way to stay in the UK – free! YouStayFree.com offers unlimited free hotel accommodation for members at selected UK hotels.
Members pay a yearly fee (presently £24.95) and must pay a minimum amount for meals at the hotel. There are some restrictions, but average savings for a couple on a 2 night break could easily be over £100. Website: youstayfree.com
Source: britainexpress.com The UK travel and heritage guide
Deaths in Congo
If you were thinking of travelling to northern Congo to see the gorillas – don’t. At least 48 people are believed to have died in a suspected outbreak of Ebola in the north of Congo-Brazzaville, near the border with Gabon. Ebola is reported to have killed 43 people in Congo and 53 others in neighbouring Gabon between October 2001 and February 2002. The WHO says more than 1,000 people have died of Ebola since the virus was first identified in 1976 in western Sudan and in a nearby region of Congo. There is no cure for Ebola, which causes up to 95% of its victims to bleed to death.
The authorities were first alerted to a possible outbreak of Ebola when a clan of gorillas in the region began to die in December. Tests carried out on the bodies confirmed that the gorillas had died from the Ebola virus, which has now claimed more than 80% of that gorilla clan. According to on the scene World Health Experts, it seems likely that eating bush meat such as gorilla, gazelle and antelope caused the human deaths.
Low-cost London
A new booklet from the London Tourist Board gives suggestions on making your holiday budget go further and exploring the capital off the main tourist trail. “Go Further in London” is available free from British Tourist Authority offices overseas (in English, French, German and Italian), or look on the website: www.visitlondon.com
Art at Schipol
If you find yourself at a loose end in Amsterdam’s Schipol airport, you can now visit a branch of the world renowned Rijskmuseum in the terminal after passport control on Holland Boulevard which connects Piers E and F. There is also a museum shop.
The museum includes works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Peter de Hooch and other painters from the Dutch Golden Age.
The joint initiative between the airport and the museum has cost around EUR2.5 million (USD$2.54 million) to establish. The museum is housed in a specially designed suspended area and is open between 7am and 8pm daily.