News

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The EU Commission held a meeting in Brussels on 4-5 November to address the legal issues involved in e- commerce. Representatives of businesses, consumers’ groups and regulatory bodies attended to address issues such as conflicts of jurisdiction, application of Contract Law and consumer protection.

Consumer Affairs Commissioner David Byrne submitted a report to the Consumer Affairs Council on the implementation of the Package Travel Directive. Member States are invited to comment by April 2000.

A legal action has been raised by relatives of a Syrian passenger killed as a result of the Egypt Air Flight 990 crash. The action has been raised in New York. The Syrian victim was working as a chef in New Jersey. The action is based on a claim for $50m wrongful death compensation alleging