Antigua11
Feb
Air Jamaica announced that after February it plans to decrease flights to St
Lucia and Barbados and will no longer fly into Antigua. American Airlines also
recently announced that it would cut services to St Lucia, Antigua and Grenada
unless the local governments arranged to subsidise the flights. The drop in
air transport will severely affect these tourism-dependent Caribbean islands.
Argentina
11 Mar
The bones of a new species of carnivorous dinosaur have been discovered in southern
Argentina, in the fossil-rich area of Rincon de los Sauces, about 1225km (760mi)
south west of Buenos Aires. The 85 million-year-old bones are said to resemble
those of North American Tyrannosaurus rex, and were found with the bones of
a known herbivore, Titanosaurus.
17
Dec
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots is threatening to downgrade
Argentina's
air safety rating unless it implements improvements to its air traffic control
and safety systems. Even if it receives a lower safety rating, commercial airlines
plan to maintain their current flights to the country. Latin America is second
to Africa as the most dangerous region in which to fly.
Bahamas10 Jun
After weeks of work slowdowns, the Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union
in Nassau called a strike on 4 June. Over 4000 strikers hit the streets and
demonstrations blocked access to many of the major hotels and created traffic
jams.
Barbados
11 Feb
Air Jamaica announced that after February it plans to decrease flights to St
Lucia and Barbados and will no longer fly into Antigua. American Airlines also
recently announced that it would cut services to St Lucia, Antigua and Grenada
unless the local governments arranged to subsidise the flights. The drop in
air transport will severely affect these tourism-dependent Caribbean islands.
17
Dec
The Caribbean nations of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados have
all issued a Dengue Fever Alert. Dengue fever has symptoms similar to flu and
is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available
and some strains are deadly. While the other islands are reporting near epidemic
numbers of people stricken with dengue fever, Montserrat has almost none. Health
workers suspect that acids from volcanic ash have killed off most of the mosquito
larvae. Since July 1995, Montserrat has experienced almost constant activity
from the island's Soufriére Hills volcano.
Belize 29 Apr
Belize kicked off the beginning of its bicentennial celebration on 28 April.
The celebration will continue until Belize National Day on 10 September. This
holiday celebrates the British defeat of the Spanish Armada at St George's Caye
in 1798 and the transfer of Belize from a Spanish colony to a British one. Belize
received its independence from Britain on 21 September 1981, and celebrates
this date as Independence Day.
22 Jul The Meso-American Caribbean Reef, the fourth largest reef system in the world and home to a broad range of marine life, is soon to receive an extra measure of protection. The governments of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico will sign a pact committing them to protecting the reef, which stretches from Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay Islands of Honduras. In the pact, the governments have all agreed to develop eco-tourism along their coasts, improve environmental controls and promote research and awareness of the reef and its marine life
Bolivia 15 Jul
The US State Department has issued an announcement expressing concerns about
the safety record of Bolivia's Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB) airline. The Bolivian
authorities have grounded several of their aircraft for safety checks after
recent problems on their domestic routes raised questions about LAB's safety
practices. The announcement recommends that all American travelers exercise
caution in the use of domestic air services within Bolivia - presumably the
rest of us are immune to plane crashes.
27 May
Two earthquakes shook Aiquile, a village between Cochabamba and Sucre in southern
Bolivia, early on Friday morning. The first earthquake measured 5.9 on the Richter
scale, and the second earthquake, which struck 15 minutes later, measured 6.8.
Eighty-four people have been reported dead, with 100 still missing and thousands
now homeless. The earthquakes were felt as far away as La Paz, 563km (350 miles)
away, and tremors continued in the region throughout Saturday.
8 Apr
Last week, the country's largest labor union, Bolivian Workers' Confederation,
called for a general strike by all public sector workers to demand higher wages.
Several people were killed in demonstrations that turned violent, and strikers
have set up roadblocks on highways into the major cities. The government has
threatened to declare a general state of emergency and call out the military
to handle the crowds. Travellers in the country are advised to avoid all public
demonstrations and to expect possible transport delays.
25 Feb
The gold-mining village of Mokotoro has been destroyed, and at least 59 people
killed, in a huge mud slide and a flooded river fuelled by heavy rains. The
disaster, which has devastated the small jungle town in the Tipuani-Guanay region
east of La Paz, was made worse by the excessively heavy rains and storms that
have resulted from El Niño. Other storms blamed on El Niño have
hit Baja California in Mexico, leaving 14 dead in Tijuana and Rosarito.
28
Jan
A drunken army patrol stopped a busload of international travellers, raped two
women from Argentina and beat eleven others. The attack took place in south-western
Bolivia, near the border with Argentina. The government has jailed and intends
to punish those guilty of participating in the attack.
Brazil 13 May
And on the flip side, a drought in north-eastern Brazil, the country's poorest
region, is forcing people to steal food to survive. The drought, the worst in
decades, has destroyed most of the region's crops, and almost 10 million people
are suffering from hunger. The government has promised aid but many fear this
is the beginning of a long and widespread famine.
6 May
In Brazil, good deals are hard to find but following the deregulation of the
airlines many of them are offering fabulous discounts on their domestic flights.
Although the government continues to set the fares, airlines are now able to
offer discounts and make changes in their routes. Some airlines are responding
to the new competitive arena with discounts of up to 50%.
15 Apr
Conservationists are calling for an international boycott of Brazil's most popular
natural tourist attraction, Iguacu Falls, until a 20km (13 mi) road through
Iguacu Falls National Park is permanently closed to car traffic. Residents of
the villages near the falls have ignored the road's closure, protesting the
damage to their businesses and the loss of contact between communities.
1 Apr
While Roraima in the north burns, you can thoroughly experience the rain forest
by taking a walk through the treetops in Bahia. Opening in June, a suspended
walkway, 105m (350 ft) long and 13-18m (45-60ft) above the ground, allows visitors
a rare opportunity to experience the rich bio-diversity of an area adjacent
to the Reserva Biol≤gica Mico Leπo de Una outside IhΘus, Bahia. The reserve
is home to several threatened species and the walkway brings you up into the
habitat of the golden lion tamarin, the maned sloth and the red-tailed parrot.
The walkway is part of an effort to encourage the development of eco-tourism
in Brazil.
25 Mar
The worst forest fires in the area's history continue to rage out of control
in Roraima, the northernmost part of Brazil, between Venezuela and Guyana. The
blazes have so far claimed more than 1.5 million acres (600,000ha) of drought-stricken
farmland and pastures, and flames have begun to burn portions of the area's
rainforest, seriously threatening the indigenous Yanomami people.
25 Feb
Brazil passed a new environmental law this past week that will improve the country’s
legal protection for the Amazon and other natural resources. The law increases
fines and sentences for poaching, pollution and illegal exploitation of natural
resources. While previous regulations were inadequate because of weak penalties
and ineffective enforcement, the government is committed to enforcing these
new laws.
18 Feb
Last Friday, a fire destroyed Rio de Janeiro's domestic airport, Aeroporto Santos
Dumont. Flights were quickly rerouted to the nearby international airport, Galeao.
Santos Dumont is one of Brazil's busiest airports and, less than a week before
the world-famous Carnival begins on 21 February, is also in its busiest travel
season. Although the terminal was destroyed and will take months to repair,
the runway was unharmed and officials hope to make arrangements to continue
using it to handle the high volume of air traffic to the city.
11
Feb
Last Wednesday, a group of bandits hijacked a tourist train outside Rio and
robbed the passengers at gun point. The train was returning from visiting the
Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer, statue on top of Corcovado. Although
no one was hurt, the passengers, which included an international group of teenage
exchange students, were badly frightened.
Canada
25 Mar
Halifax is experiencing a moment in the spotlight thanks to the popularity of
the movie æTitanicÆ. It was from this town in 1912 that rescuers headed out
to the site of the Titanic to recover the bodies of victims. Today, visitors
are coming to honour the memory of the almost 150 unclaimed and often unknown
victims buried in local graveyards. The local Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
also offers an exhibit of artefacts recovered during the rescue attempt.
4 Mar
Riding the tidal wave of Titanic fever, a British travel agency, Wildwings,
is offering the opportunity to tour the actual wreckage of the Titanic. The
week-long trip includes a deep-sea dive, using two submarines holding four people
each, to view the wreckage. The tours cost a mere US$33,000 and begins in August.
18 Feb
The government has asked the high court to determine whether Quebec has the
constitutional right to secede from the Canadian Federation. Quebec, Canada's
only French-speaking province, has held several separatist referendums in the
past decades. In the last vote, held in October 1995, the referendum lost by
only a tiny margin. A new vote is expected to be held by September 1999 and
the federal government hopes the outcome of the court case determines that Quebec's
citizens will remain with the federation.
Canada has signed an agreement with Cuba to expand air travel between the two countries, thus increasing North American access to the Caribbean nation. Cuba is suffering under the US imposed boycott and relies heavily on its expanding tourism trade to support its faltering economy. Canada has maintained a close relationship with Cuba despite protests from the US government.
4
Feb
The border is down! Amtrak and Via Rail Canada have teamed up and are
now offering a North America Rail Pass. Travellers can now travel through both
the United States and Canada by train on the same rail pass. The rail pass allows
unlimited stops and is valid for 30 days of travel.
Chile 12 August
Australians no longer require a visa to enter Chile. The new visa-free arrangement
came into effect on July 22 1998. But Australians arriving at Santiago International
Airport will be required to pay a US$20 administrative fee. Travellers arriving
at other airports in Chile or overland are not required to pay the fee.
8 Jul
National Airlines, one of the main domestic carriers, has announced that it
will be handing its portion of the domestic market to recent start-up, Avant
Airlines. National plans to concentrate on improving its international service,
primarily to the Caribbean and Florida.
10 Jun
Chile has a privatised and very competitive telecom system and lots of mobile
phone users. Like everywhere else in the world they like to use them when driving
and as in many other places that's illegal. But a recent police blitz on telephoning
drivers revealed that one third of those stopped were actually using fake mobile
phones and just pretending to talk.
20 May
Severe pollution levels in Santiago have forced city officials to declare a
state of emergency. New regulations confining operation of public and private
vehicles to certain days and times will be in effect until the crisis passes,
so expect new schedules and routes for all city transport.
6 May
A new toll highway built to connect the Pacific coast with Santiago is slowly
strangling the economy of Pomaire, a small town outside Santiago. The town,
famous for its cheap and beautiful pottery, is a favorite day trip from Santiago.
In attempting to capitalise on the town's popularity, the new toll highway requires
visitors to pay a toll each way, and has also blocked the shorter of the two
roads leading to the town. With these added hurdles, fewer visitors are making
the trip, and pottery sales, and the economy, are starting to dry up.
25 Mar
Health authorities in Chile have issued a formal warning against eating raw
or partially cooked eggs and egg products, after 86 guests at a wedding party
suffered salmonella poisoning from eating fresh mayonnaise prepared from eggs.
In response to the warning, many Chilean bars and hotels have stopped serving
some traditional cocktails, such as pisco sour and vaina, that are often prepared
using raw eggs. Stopping short of a moratorium on omelette consumption, authorities
urge that all eggs be well cooked before eating until the outbreak can be contained.
25 Feb
Forest fires are raging out of control in southern Chile and forcing visitors
to head for the cities. Dry summer conditions and winds are helping the fires
spread rapidly through the region, destroying large stretches of virgin forests
in many national parks. Officials suspect that the illegal grass fires started
the flames.
14
Jan
Government health officials suspect that cholera caused several recent
deaths near San Pedro de Atacama, a popular tourist destination in northern
Chile. The government is conducting tests and based on their findings, may quarantine
the town.
Colombia 12 August
Local flights into the cities of San Jose Del Guaviare and Uriba (approximately
150km/90mi southeast of Bogota) have been canceled due to a renewal of violence
by guerrilla forces in the area. The resurgence of violence is considered by
some to be a final farewell to departing President Semper. President Andres
Pastrana was inaugurated on Friday and has promised top priority to peace talks
with the rebel military groups. The government is considering creating a demilitarized
peace zone in the area of San Jose Del Guaviare and Uriba for the talks. The
zone would encompass the area south to Macarena and San Vicenta del Caguan.
28 Jul
After several years of restoration work, Colombia reopened Simon Bolivar's Bogota
home earlier this month. Simon Bolivar, commonly referred to as æEl LibertadorÆ,
is famous because he led Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador to independence from
Spanish rule in 1811. The villa is now a museum and national monument, furnished
with period pieces and filled with the memorabilia of Bolivar's life.
8 Jul
Andres Pastrana, who won the recent presidential elections, placed peace negotiations
with guerilla groups as his number one priority. Changes are starting to happen,
although Pastana does not take office until 7 August. The main guerilla groups,
the ELN and FARC, have both agreed to participate in peace negotiations and
will meet with civil representatives in Germany on 12 July. Colombia is considered
one of the most dangerous countries to visit due to violence, kidnappings and
murders carried out by the rebel military groups.
22 Apr
FARC rebels have released an Italian bird watcher, one of four held hostage
since 16 April. The rebels have requested a US$5 million ransom for the remaining
three hostages, all US citizens. The freed hostage was injured seriously in
a fall.
1 Apr
A guerrilla group, members of the FARC, continue to hold four Americans and
one Italian hostage. On 23 March the FARC kidnapped almost 30 people from a
roadblock set up on a major highway 48km (30mi) outside Bogotß. Most of these
hostages were released by 27 March. The FARC has accused the US government of
supporting the Colombian army's efforts against the guerrilla forces. The US
State Department fears that other US citizens will be targeted for kidnapping
and warns against unnecessary travel to Colombia.
11 Mar
Congressional elections went ahead this weekend despite violent attacks from
guerillas. The rebels blocked roads, cut power lines and attacked polling booths
in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process. Several soldiers and rebels
have died in the conflicts.
18 Feb
In Puerto Asis, a major port town on the Putumayo River, almost 50 citizens
have died during the past two weeks, murdered by paramilitary groups. Officials
suspect the townspeople were murdered for supporting local guerrilla troops
of the FARC. The military is denying all involvement despite contradictory reports
from witnesses and further claims that troops are only in the area attempting
to locate several soldiers being held hostage by the guerrillas.
17
Dec
Despite efforts by Colombia's President, Ernesto Samper, rightist guerrilla
forces
continue their campaign of terror in Colombia. Massacres and kidnappings happen
almost weekly and the groups are responsible for several hundred deaths this
year.
Cuba 22 Jul
Following the relaxation of the embargo in March, the US government has once
again agreed to allow direct flights from Miami International Airport to Cuba.
Nine companies (mostly small charter airlines) including American Airway received
permission to offer flights. During the two years of the restriction, airlines
had to stop off in either Mexico or the Bahamas before heading on to Cuba. This
turned the normally 45 minute hop into a three-hour trek.
1 Jul 1
The US government has granted several airlines and charter companies permission
to start direct charter flights to Cuba. Although US citizens are still not
allowed to travel to Cuba without special permission, the government did cut
back on the embargo in March to allow for humanitarian missions.
15 June
Cuba has designated the historic Hotel Nacional in Havana as a national monument.
The hotel, opened in 1930, is a architectural landmark in the city and was renovated
in 1992. These luxurious surroundings has hosted important luminaries such as
cigar-aficionado Winston Churchill, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra and continues
to be Cuba's premier five-star
accommodation.
6 May
Cuba's main import is travellers. With over half a million visitors to the island
this year, tourism has rapidly become Cuba's economic mainstay. With close to
a million and a quarter visitors in 1997, a 15% increase over the previous year,
Cuba is now the fourth most popular Caribbean destination and quickly gaining
on the top three, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Jamaica.
22 Apr
This September, many of those who followed in ColumbusÆ footsteps will gather
in Cuba for the fourth congress of the CIM, the world's largest federation of
Italians living abroad. In Cuba, according to unofficial figures, there are
between 500 and 700 Italian-born residents and 5000 of Italian descent. Altogether
60 million Italians live in over 100 countries, around three million more than
in Italy itself.
18 Mar
A proposed ferry service will link Cuba and Mexico starting late this year.
The ferry will leave from Puerto Morelos, near Cancun, and carry passengers
and cars to Cuba. In recent months, the Central American countries have opened
and strengthened their diplomatic and economic ties to Cuba and this is yet
another expression of friendship.
4 Mar
In response to the concerns raised by Pope John Paul during his visit in January
about human rights violations in Cuba, the government has released almost 300
prisoners from gaols in the past few weeks. Although many freed prisoners were
originally detained for political reasons, the government has stated that it
will not release any prisoners considered dangerous to the current government
unless they leave the country. In a move to strengthen its friendship with Cuba,
Canada has offered to welcome these ‘prisoners of conscience.’
Ecuador12 August
A pair of earthquakes shook up the coastal towns of the province of Manabm last
Tuesday. The earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 5.7, were centered on the small
port town of Bahma de Caraquez near Portoviejo. The quakes caused many buildings
to tumble down and interrupted electrical and water service; only three people
were reported dead. Many of the towns were evacuated. The region is still attempting
to recover from the ravages and floods of this past winter's El Niño.
15 Jul
Jamil Mahuad emerged victorious from runoff elections for president last weekend.
Harvard alum and mayor of Quito, Mahuad survived a close, dirty race against
Alvaro Noboa, local millionaire and the favored candidate of ousted and exiled
president Abdala Bucaram. Mahuad's early lead fell to a dead heat after a bruising
smear campaign by Noboa. In the end, Mahuad's six highly acclaimed years as
the mayor of Ecuador's capital carried the day. The new president will take
office on 10 August.
1 Jul 1
Quito is experiencing a recent increase in violence, much of it focused on travelers.
In the period between 15 May and 15 June, 72 travelers were robbed. The attacks
ranged from purse-snatches to assaults, took place during the day and mainly
targeted solitary travelers. The main areas to avoid, or at least take special
precautions in, are Gonzalez Suarez, El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, la Mariscal
and Avenida Cristobal Colon.
18 Mar
The Ecuadorian government has announced that it is raising its value-added tax
from 10% to 14%. The increase is to provide revenues to help pay for damages
caused by El Niño and to counter the decrease in oil sales.
El Salvador
15 Jul
Rail riders rejoice - Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are planning a railroad
system that will link these three Central American countries with Mexico. With
a rising interest in travel to Central America, local governments are cooperating
to present the entire region as a desirable destination. The new railroad will
improve transportation within and between the countries, with future plans to
extend it down to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
Grenada 17
Dec
The Caribbean nations of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados have
all issued a Dengue Fever Alert. Dengue fever has symptoms similar to flu and
is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available
and some strains are deadly. While the other islands are reporting near epidemic
numbers of people stricken with dengue fever, Montserrat has almost none. Health
workers suspect that acids from volcanic ash have killed off most of the mosquito
larvae. Since July 1995, Montserrat has experienced almost constant activity
from the island's Soufriére Hills volcano.
Guatemala22 Jul
The Meso-American Caribbean Reef, the fourth largest reef system in the world
and home to a broad range of marine life, is soon to receive an extra measure
of protection. The governments of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico will
sign a pact committing them to protecting the reef, which stretches from Yucatan
Peninsula to the Bay Islands of Honduras. In the pact, the governments have
all agreed to develop eco-tourism along their coasts, improve environmental
controls and promote research and awareness of the reef and its marine life.
15 Jul
Rail riders rejoice - Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are planning a railroad
system that will link these three Central American countries with Mexico. With
a rising interest in travel to Central America, local governments are cooperating
to present the entire region as a desirable destination. The new railroad will
improve transportation within and between the countries, with future plans to
extend it down to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
15 June
Help wanted: travelers heading to Antigua, Guatemala. Traveler's diarrhea is
the curse of world adventurers, but Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public
Health thinks it may have it licked with an oral vaccine. They are in the last
stages of testing and are seeking 400 volunteers heading to Antigua for at least
three weeks this summer. If you would like to participate in the study, contact
the vaccine testing unit. Participants will receive two dosage to be taken prior
to departure and will be paid $400 at the end of the test for their participation.
27 May
The volcano Pacaya, a popular hiking destination near Antigua and Guatemala
City, continues to spew lava and debris. The volcano, active since 1962, erupted
two weeks ago and is producing lava with the occasional violent eruption. Last
Wednesday, the Guatemala City International Airport, 24km (15 miles) from the
volcano, closed for several hours to remove rocks and dirt from the runways.
13 May
A man has been arrested for the murder of Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi.
The 75-year-old bishop was mysteriously killed last week, days after delivering
copies of a 1000-page report on human rights violations committed during Guatemala's
decades-long civil war. Civic groups from around the world are questioning the
arrest, insisting that Guatemalan police have arrested the wrong man.
8 Apr
An American railroad company is restoring Guatemala's state railway system,
with the goal of running the rails soon from Guatemala City to the Atlantic
port towns of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas - about 403km (250 mi) of track.
The rail system has been out of operation for two years. Guatemala's government
will receive 10% of the revenue generated by the renewed transportation of commercial
goods.
11
Feb
Responding to demands from both tourists and residents for increased security,
the Guatemalan government announced that it is creating a plan to increase safety
in cities and rural areas. Guatemala's high crime rate came to international
attention last month following an attack on a group of US students by armed
bandits.
28
Jan
In south-western Guatemala armed bandits attacked a group of American students
and their professors early last week. The men robbed everyone in the group and
then raped several of the women. Local officials have apprehended the criminals.
The incident brings international attention to Guatemala's rising crime rate
and is expected to negatively affect tourism.
Guyana 12 August
After much discussion and political maneuvering Guyana and Suriname have agreed
to run a ferry service connecting Georgetown in Guyana and Paramaribo in Suriname.
Currently the only way to get between the two is to drive down the coast and
catch the passenger ferry between Corriverton (Guyana) and Nieuw Nickerie (Suriname)
on the Corentyne river.
1 Jul
Political protests in Georgetown have turned violent and both the US and Canada
have issued travel advisories. Supporters of the People's National Congress
(PNC) are protesting against President Janet Jagan, who took power earlier this
year. Although independent auditors have determined that the election was fair,
the PNC is still claiming that President Jagan's election to her post was illegal
and are demanding her immediate resignation. The travel advisories recommend
deferring non-essential travel to Guyana.
29 Apr
Trinidad and Tobago's BWIA International Airways and Guyana Airways have announced
an agreement to share routes in an effort to consolidate costs. Both airlines
are experiencing financial difficulties and hope that this cooperation will
help both airlines continue.
15 Apr
A national emergency has been declared in Guyana, where the lack of rain has
caused forest fires and is threatening the supply of drinking water.
8 Apr
Guyana has declared a state of emergency because of a massive drought. With
rainfall 90% below normal, the government was forced to declare strict water
rationing in Georgetown three months ago. The drought has caused crops to fail
and livestock is beginning to die. In addition, several deaths have been caused
by dengue fever and health officials have issued a warning.
Haiti5 August
Travelers to Haiti who plan to foment revolution, razz the Haitian National
Police or otherwise tempt fate should know Amnesty International has reported
that human rights violations 'continue to flourish' in the country. Among the
lingering causes for 'serious concern' are torture, extrajudicial executions,
and 'killings in suspicious circumstances'. Despite four years of nominal democracy,
efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice have yielded 'little real progress'.
Honduras22 Jul
The Meso-American Caribbean Reef, the fourth largest reef system in the world
and home to a broad range of marine life, is soon to receive an extra measure
of protection. The governments of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico will
sign a pact committing them to protecting the reef, which stretches from Yucatan
Peninsula to the Bay Islands of Honduras. In the pact, the governments have
all agreed to develop eco-tourism along their coasts, improve environmental
controls and promote research and awareness of the reef and its marine life.
15 Jul
Rail riders rejoice - Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are planning a railroad
system that will link these three Central American countries with Mexico. With
a rising interest in travel to Central America, local governments are cooperating
to present the entire region as a desirable destination. The new railroad will
improve transportation within and between the countries, with future plans to
extend it down to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.
8 Jul
Hondutel, the national phone company, has changed Honduras telephone numbers
from six to seven digits to expand the amount of available numbers. For Tegucigalpa
numbers add a 2 at the beginning, San Pedro Sula a 5 and La Ceiba and the Bay
Islands a 4.
15 June
In Honduras, the Garifunas, descendants of West Africans and Carib Indians and
with strong cultural and community ties, are opposing a proposal for tourism
development along the Northeastern coast. Currently less accessible, the government
wants to invite foreign investment to expand the tourism infrastructure so that
Honduras can take a larger piece of the booming tourism industry in Central
America. The Garifuna fear over-development will destroy their communities and
way of life and the natural beauty of the . They are making a counter-proposal
that would emphasis locally-owned and sustainable tourism options.
27 May
Utila is one of the top destinations for divers, but the large numbers of visitors
the island receives are damaging the coral reefs that attract them. In response,
the local residents have created a new diving site by sinking an old freighter
just outside the harbor. Underwater, the freighter becomes an artificial reef
that attracts local marine life and a wreck site that attracts divers.
25 Mar
Anthropologists have found ruins of a pre-Columbian city in southern Honduras.
The scientists havenÆt yet worked out whether this was a Mayan city or belonged
to another ethnic group, and are tight-lipped about its exact location, hoping
to thwart looters. The remains of Copán, a Mayan city that dates from
1200 BC and is one of the earliest examples of civilisation in Honduras, have
been drawing travellers to the country for over a century.
18 Mar
The new Tropical Butterfly Farm and Gardens near La Ceiba opened on Sunday,
15 March. The park is 50 acres (20ha) of rainforest, offering plenty of opportunities
to not only learn about butterflies but also to explore and enjoy the diverse
and fascinating local ecosystem. The park offers wonderful birdwatching possibilities,
great jungle tours and the opportunity to simply relax in a beautiful tropical
environment.
Jamaica 8 Jul
The Jamaican government is working on a Coral Reef Action Plan to save their
coral reefs. The reefs that ring much of the island are responsible for Jamaica's
world-famous beaches, which in turn are responsible for Jamaica's favorite import
- tourists. Most of the reefs are dying from over-use by divers and fishermen,
soil and sewage runoff from the coastal developments and damage from hurricanes.
The plan will expand protection of both marine and coastal areas necessary for
the preservation of the reefs, starting with the creation of two new marine
parks at Negril and Port Antonio.
20 May
The Jamaican government has approved plans to establish tourist æsafe zonesÆ
at popular tourist destinations in order to alleviate harassment by street vendors
and beggars. The new clean streets policy will be enforced by increasing both
the local police force and the fines charged for accosting tourists.
15 Apr
Visitors to the Ocho Rios resort on Jamaica's north coast should be on the lookout
for local hustlers. The situation has become so bad that several cruise lines
are threatening to boycott the island's most popular cruise port if it doesn't
improve.
8 Apr
The government has given final approval to restoring Port Royal, a small town
across the Harbor from Kingston. During the 17th Century, Port Royal was a favourite
port for pirates, and called by some æthe wickedest town on earthÆ. God may
well have judged it so, because a massive earthquake in 1692 sank most of the
town. Jamaica plans to capitalise on the town's fascinating history by creating
a living history museum, illuminating it as both a centre of trade and haven
for pirates. The plans include a special tour boat with underwater portholes
that will allow visitors to view the remains of the sunken town.
4 Mar
Visitors to Dunns River Falls, Jamaica’s best-known attraction, may soon
find themselves attempting to swim through a picket line. Hundreds of workers
are striking in protest against what they claim is the unfair dismissal of two
of their co-workers. They are not keen to let anyone - even travellers - cross
their picket line.
Mexico22 Jul
The Meso-American Caribbean Reef, the fourth largest reef system in the world
and home to a broad range of marine life, is soon to receive an extra measure
of protection. The governments of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico will
sign a pact committing them to protecting the reef, which stretches from Yucatan
Peninsula to the Bay Islands of Honduras. In the pact, the governments have
all agreed to develop eco-tourism along their coasts, improve environmental
controls and promote research and awareness of the reef and its marine life.
22 June
When it rains it pours, just not in the right place. While extreme drought conditions
continue in the northern states, the south-central areas of the country experienced
a torrential downpour this weekend. In some areas, particularly along the Pacific
Coast, residents were forced to leave their homes due to high flood waters.
10 Jun
Following the publicity Mexico received from ousting human rights observers
from Chiapas, the government has established some guidelines for these visitors.
Non-government organizations are allowed to have 10 observers who can stay for
10 days. All must apply for the special permit at their Mexican consulate 30
days in advance of their planned arrival.
13 May
With crime on the rise and tourism in decline in Mexico City, hotels have decided
to do something about it. Starting in June, several of the city's top end hotels
will offer æcrime insuranceÆ for an additional $2 added to the bill. If all
goes well, this service will soon be offered at most of the city's accommodation.
Mother Nature must have something against Mexico, delivering it a deadly one-two punch of exceptionally dry weather with virtually no rain, and 100 forest fires. The country has suffered over 9000 forest fires so far this year.
29 Apr
Octavio Paz, a Mexican poet and essayist
and winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize, has died in Mexico City. He was 84. He had
written perhaps the most probing examination of Mexico's myths and the Mexican
character in æThe Labyrinth of SolitudeÆ.
22 Apr
The government of Mexico expelled 12 foreigners last week for violating the
terms of their visas. Government officials claim that the expelled visitors
were actively involved with the Zapatista rebels, but the visitors claimed they
have been merely observers in Mexico in the hope of preventing human rights
abuses.
15 Apr
Twelve foreigners were arrested in southern Mexico after 750 Mexican police
and soldiers raided Taniperlas, a town in Chiapas. The foreigners were arrested
for being sympathetic to the area's Zapatista rebels. Mexico has a constitutional
ban on foreign interference in politics.
15 Apr
Trying to control travel traffic across the Mexican border, the US is replacing
old border-crossing documents with new laser visas that include digital fingerprints
and digital photos. The old documents have been used by millions of Mexicans
for decades, authorising travel within 40km (25mi) of the border for 72 hours
and allowing more than 100 million legal border crossings each year by business
people, tourists and shoppers. The US has tried to assure Mexican applicants
that holders of the old documents will qualify for the new. The laser visas,
which cost US$45, replace business and tourism visas and border-crossing cards,
and will be valid for 10 years. All Mexican citizens who visit the US will be
required to carry laser visas.
25 Feb
Mexico expelled over 15 foreigners during the past few weeks for violating the
conditions of their visas. The foreigners were all working as journalists or
international observers in or around Chiapas but travelling on tourist visas.
Police are viewing all foreign visitors to the region with suspicion and are
bringing many of them in for questioning. Government officials contend that
foreign involvement or ‘meddling’ is escalating the potentially explosive
political situation in Chiapas.
Mexico City sank 10m (33ft) in the last century, and is currently sinking at a rate of up to 45cm (18in) a year, according to a National Water Commission report. The capital was built on the remains of Tenochtitlan, an ancient Aztec city. It continues to sink each year as the water-table is drained to supply the population of 20 million.
18 Feb
A museum of Tex Mex stars is to be opened at San Nicolas de los Garzas, north
of Nuevo Leon, this Friday. The first of its kind in Mexico, and possibly the
world, the museum will house instruments and other memorabilia from stars such
as Bobby Pudido, Los Temorarios, Los Bukis, Los Rancheritos, Ramon Ayala and
Ana Barbara, among others. The local press expects 25,000 spectators to attend
the opening ceremony.
28
Jan
Due to budget cuts, SECTUR, Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, is closing
its international tourism offices at the end of February. The tourism department
runs seventeen around the world that answer questions and offer travel information
to potential tourists. Many in the travel industry fear that closing these offices
will hurt tourism to the country.
24 Dec
An American tourist was shot in Mexico City on December 15 during what
was apparently a botched taxi robbery. The US State Department strongly advises
that visitors to the city exercise extreme caution when hiring a taxi, using
only those summoned by telephone or tourist taxis recommended by your hotel
and when arriving at the airport, using only the yellow 'airport' taxis.
Montserrat 17
Dec
The Caribbean nations of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados have
all issued a Dengue Fever Alert. Dengue fever has symptoms similar to flu and
is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available
and some strains are deadly. While the other islands are reporting near epidemic
numbers of people stricken with dengue fever, Montserrat has almost none. Health
workers suspect that acids from volcanic ash have killed off most of the mosquito
larvae. Since July 1995, Montserrat has experienced almost constant activity
from the island's Soufriére Hills volcano.
Nicaragua14
Jan
Nicaragua has opened a new airport at the resort town of Montelimar.
Former President Somoza and other government officials originally used the runway
to escape during the Sandinista revolution in 1979. The government hopes the
new airport will help promote tourism to Nicaragua.
Panama 29 Apr
This week the government will commence rationing power by instituting a daily
two hour blackout. The power company is unable to supply enough energy because
of falling water levels at its two hydro-electric plants.
15 Apr
President Ernesto Perez Balladares has introduced an administrative reform bill
to ensure that anyone who 'incites violent protest' against his government will
be arrested, fined and jailed. The press and most likely everyone else is nervously
awaiting the bill's passage through the legislature.
Peru5 August
In a senseless act of blind destruction, a group of tourists recently drove
a pickup truck across a section of Peru's Nazca Lines, damaging at least three
of the Lines and leaving behind trash and tire tracks in their wake. The Nazca
Lines, huge designs drawn in the desert and visible only from the air, are among
Peru's chief tourist attractions. Their patterns run from the purely geometric
to representations of a variety of giant animals, such as a condor with a 130m
(425ft) wingspan and a 90m (300ft) monkey with an extravagantly curled tail.
The damage comes just a few weeks after the death of the Lines' longtime protector,
Maria Reiche, a German mathematician who spent decades studying the area.
22 June
Peru has reached an agreement with the US that will slowly expand the number
of flights to and from the US. The agreement allows for an immediate addition
of 20 flights, with another, gradual, increase over the next few years. Peru
is beginning to attract more visitors with its expansion of ecotourism.
21
Jan
Last week an avalanche of mud covered several small towns near Machu
Picchu, the famous Inca ruins in the Cuzco area of Peru. Flooding from a local
lake caused the mudslide. El Niño, which has caused flooding and mudslides
throughout both Peru and Ecuador, also damaged a Río Zarumilla bridge,
which serves as the border crossing between Huaquillas, Ecuador and Aguas Verdes,
Peru.
Puerto Rico5 August
Dengue fever is on the rise and the worst is yet to come, warns the Centers
for Disease Control. The most recent epidemic in 1994 left 9000 people hospitalized
and infected 25,000 overall. Dengue is transferred via mosquitoes which bite
during daylight hours. There is no vaccine or treatment for the illness, which
can be fatal to children, so prevention is the key.
St Kitts & Nevis 28
Jul
The residents of Nevis will vote on 10 August to determine if they will secede
from their union with St Kitts. The islands function under a federation with
both populations represented by an elected National Assembly and a Prime Minister.
Nevis also operates its own, internal, home government with a separate legislature.
St Lucia 11 Mar
Cruising to St Lucia? Then be prepared to shell out a US$1.50 "environmental
levy" from 1 May. This raises the island's cruise tax to $6.50. Other islands
in the region are considering a price hike despite threats of boycotts from
some cruise operators.
11
Feb
Air Jamaica announced that after February it plans to decrease flights to St
Lucia and Barbados and will no longer fly into Antigua. American Airlines also
recently announced that it would cut services to St Lucia, Antigua and Grenada
unless the local governments arranged to subsidise the flights. The drop in
air transport will severely affect these tourism-dependent Caribbean islands.
Suriname 12
August
After much discussion and political maneuvering Guyana and Suriname have agreed
to run a ferry service connecting Georgetown in Guyana and Paramaribo in Suriname.
Currently the only way to get between the two is to drive down the coast and
catch the passenger ferry between Corriverton (Guyana) and Nieuw Nickerie (Suriname)
on the Corentyne river.
Trinidad & Tobago29
Apr
Trinidad and Tobago's BWIA International Airways and Guyana Airways have announced
an agreement to share routes in an effort to consolidate costs. Both airlines
are experiencing financial difficulties and hope that this cooperation will
help both airlines continue.
17
Dec
The Caribbean nations of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados have
all issued a Dengue Fever Alert. Dengue fever has symptoms similar to flu and
is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available
and some strains are deadly. While the other islands are reporting near epidemic
numbers of people stricken with dengue fever, Montserrat has almost none. Health
workers suspect that acids from volcanic ash have killed off most of the mosquito
larvae. Since July 1995, Montserrat has experienced almost constant activity
from the island's Soufriére Hills volcano.
Uruguay4
Feb
Taking advantage of the speed and efficiency of the World Wide Web, Uruguay's
post office, El Correo, is now offering a unique service: Correonet. Customers
can go to El Correo's web site and type a message on-line and the service will
then print out a copy and send it ‘snail mail’ for you. The service
is available for international and local customers. All postage fees are charged
on a credit card and a US$3 subscription fee is required.
USA
28 Jul
The Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz has installed a new ride, Top Skater, for
painless skateboarding. The ride allows you to simulate the exhilaration of
skateboarding without a single scrape or bump.
In an effort to promote consumers' concerns regarding service quality on airlines, ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) has created the Air Travelers' Bill of Rights. Some of the rights outlined in the Bill are truth in advertised prices, a comfortable seat, and assistance in making connections. The organization is also conducting a survey of recent complaints and abuses. If you'd like your chance to speak out, go to their Web site at http://www.astanet.com/www/ asta/pub/travelersrights.htmlx
Following FridayÆs shooting at the Capitol building in Washington DC, Congress is considering establishing a new underground visitors centre that will allow increased security. The Capitol, which is home to Congress, receives around 18,000 visitors every day.
22 Jul
Across the southern and western states, a heat wave is breaking records. Pueblo
and Grand Junction, CO reported 104°F (40°C) over the weekend, Sacramento,
CA reached 110°F (43°C) on Sunday and Dallas, TX is expecting to go
into its third week of temperatures topping 100°F (37°C). The heat wave
has already claimed over 100 lives and authorities are recommending that people
stay indoors, refrain from excessive physical activity during the day and drink
plenty of liquids.
Los Angeles International Airport is adding a fast lane through immigration by installing two INSPASS kiosks. INSPASS is an automated validation system used to expedite the processing of frequent travelers; the system uses a hand scan and ID to verify identity and then validates the necessary documents within about a minute. The system is already in use in several airports including Miami, Newark, JFK and Pearson International in Toronto, Canada, and there are plans to add it to the Dallas airport this year. The ID is valid for one year; contact the Immigration & Naturalization Service to check eligibility and to obtain an application.
15 Jul
California's rivers are giving rafters and kayakers a wild ride this year. The
rivers are running deeper, faster and colder than normal as the heavy Sierra
snowpack melts into the rivers. Following several deaths in the early part of
the season, the California Department of Boating and Waterways has issued a
safety advisory. They recommend that you check local conditions before you go,
always take an experienced person with you, dress appropriately and take the
proper safety precautions.
With the recent backlash against smoking, the Museum of Tobacco Art and History is also calling it quits - going cold turkey on 24 July. Located in downtown Nashville, TN, the museum, a fabulous collection of smoking and tobacco related objects with everything from cigar-store Indians to ivory snuff boxes, relates the important role tobacco has played in the history of the USA.
Despite protests from Hawaiian travel agencies, the Bank of Hawaii has started selling Hawaiian Airlines flight coupons. The coupons, which are purchased through the bank's ATMs, are accepted as tickets for flights between the major Hawaiian islands. The coupons cost US$51.50, which is cheaper than the same tickets offered by travel agents, and are valid for 12 months.
A recent study by Citibank has revealed most customers who travel prefer to use ATMs to access local currencies rather than travel with travelers cheques. In the study, travelers cited security as the main reason they prefer ATMs. Travelers cheques were introduced more than 100 years ago but Citibank predicts they won't be around for much longer as the availability of ATMs worldwide increases.
8 Jul To represent the breadth and depth of the Pacific Ocean's diversity of life is quite a challenge. It's a challenge the new Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA is prepared to accept. The new aquarium, one of the largest in the country, opened this June. The aquarium has 17 major exhibits containing 10,000 creatures in 4.5 million litres (one million gallons) of sea water. Three permanent exhibits represent the major geographic areas of the Pacific with a focus on the conservation issues in each region. Southern California and Baja are represented by a sea lion and seal exhibit, sea otters, giant octopuses and giant spider crabs inhabit the Northern Pacific exhibit and a coral reef and lagoon were created for the Tropical Pacific.
1 Jul 1
Now only for the early birds: the National Park Service has announced that it
is only allowing visitors who arrive on the first morning ferries to climb to
the top of the Statue of Liberty. With the summer heat and the 354-step climb
to reach the top, afternoon temperatures in the stairwell are hitting an uncomfortable
38°C (100°F). The new schedule will be in effect until 7 September.
Wet winter weather has prompted an increase in the deer mouse population, the primary carrier of hantavirus in the south-western states. Identified in 1993, hantavirus is transmitted to humans who inhale dust contaminated by mouse droppings or urine. The main symptom is difficulty breathing, caused by a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Chances of catching the disease are extremely low and it is safe to travel in infected areas. If you're traveling in the south-west, don't enter unused cabins or other buildings, use a tent with a floor, don't pitch your tent in areas with mouse burrows, and store your food in rodent-proof containers.
22 June
If adventure travel is too tame for you, give Mother Nature a different whirl
with a storm chasing tour. Several tour operators, most of them advertising
on the internet, now offer guided trips through "Tornado Alley" (Oklahoma,
Texas, Kansas and Arkansas) in search of the next big
one. If you'd like to plan for next year, storm season begins in early March
and extends through August. For the rest of us, we'll be happy to stay at home
and watch Twister, the movie.
15 June
With record low gas prices expected to continue through the summer, its a good
time to hit the road. If you're looking for inspiration, the Federal Highway
Administration this year added three new "All-American Roads" to its
National Scenic Byways program. Chosen as the best of America's open roads based
on their scenic beauty, historical and geological interest and recreation facilities,
the three new routes are the Columbia River Gorge, which passes through Portland,
OR, the Washington State Route 410 which crosses the Cascade Mountain Range,
and Oregon's "Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway" which starts at the California
border and goes north along Klamath Lake to end at Crater Lake National Park.
10 Jun
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh celebrated the grand opening of its Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians with a powwow this weekend. This is the newest and one of the largest permanent exhibits of Native American culture. The exhibit was created in cooperation with representatives from the major tribes and reflects their historical and contemporary experiences. This is one of the few exhibits to look closely at the present condition of Native Americans in the USA.
3 Jun
If you want to avoid tourists, keep away from California and New York City.
According to a recently released report from the Commerce Department's Tourism
Industries Office, California received 6.4 million visitors with second place
Florida entertaining 6.1 million and third place New York State trailing with
5.3 million visitors. The top city destination, New York City, received 5 million
visitors, while Los Angeles had only 3.9 million and Miami, with a mere 3 million
tourists, trailing far behind.
A series of storms during the weekend has flattened large chunks of the United States. The storms, which included several tornadoes, stretched from the northern plains state of South Dakota through Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania into New England and New York State. Over 15 people were reported dead and more than 1 million people were affected by power shortages. Buildings and homes were destroyed by tornadoes in Pennsylvania, Vermont and in South Dakota, where an entire town, Spencer, was completely levelled.
20 May
New York's JFK Airport has unveiled its new Terminal One, scheduled to open
to the public at the end of May. Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air and Japan
Airlines will occupy the beautiful metal and glass space. A new international
arrivals building is also in the works.
New York City's mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, toughened regulations on taxi drivers in the city only to find them all on strike for 24 hours. Giuliani is trying to make New York's streets safer for pedestrians, who have had to suffer the consequences of a 40% rise in taxi accidents in the 1990s. The cabbies have threatened a slow down in service over the next few weeks.
13 May
The Federal Aviation Administration has demanded immediate inspections of all
older Boeing 737s, about 15% of the planes registered in the US. The inspections
were prompted by concerns that wear is affecting the wiring system in these
planes. Worn wiring is the suspected cause of the TWA flight 800 crash. Any
plane not passing the inspection will be immediately grounded until the necessary
repairs are made. Although a few flights have been delayed and some cancelled,
most travellers have not been affected by the inspections.
6 May
The new Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska celebrated its grand opening
last weekend. Created to combine research and rehabilitation with educating
the public on the marine life of the Northern Gulf of Alaska, the center is
home to living displays such as sea lions, anemones and puffins, and informative
exhibits such as the one explaining the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and the
slow recovery of Prince William Sound. And with the introduction of a new ferry
to the fleet that travels the Alaska Marine Highway, it is now easier to reach
Seward. The first ocean-going ferry, the Kennicott, sails through the Gulf of
Alaska, connecting the southeastern and southwestern routes. The ferry makes
seven stops starting at Bellingham, WA, the southern terminus of the route,
and travels to Juneau and then up to Valdez and Seward.
Northwestern Airlines has issued a public apology to its customers for recent delays and cancellation of flights. Employees started conducting work slowdowns a few weeks ago to protest corporate foot-dragging in contract negotiations. Mechanics, pilots and flight attendants are all working under contracts from 1993 containing some special conditions agreed upon to save the airline which was then threatened with bankruptcy. Negotiations for the new contract began in late 1996 and are now, hopefully, in the final phases.
6 May
A new air pass for travellers from the United States visiting Europe will be
available this summer. The EurAir Pass allows for air travel with nine airlines
and can be used for travel to 50 cities in Europe. The pass, consisting of a
pack of three or more coupons, each costing US$90.00, can be used to travel
to cities in Belarus, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain,
and Sweden. The EurAir Pass cannot be purchased in Europe, it must be purchased
in the United States prior to travel and reservations are recommended.
29 AprThe six major airlines in the US are currently working on partnership agreements: Northwest and Continental joined forces in January, American Airlines and US Airways are talking, while discussions between United Airlines and Delta may have stalled. The airlines are creating alliances to expand their customer base by merging frequent flier programs, simplifying flight transfers between airlines and expanding routes, but some critics fear that this decrease in competition will increase fares.
22 Apr
The new National Prisoner of War Museum has opened in Andersonville, Georgia.
The museum honours more than 800,000 US citizens who have been prisoners of
war, starting with the Revolutionary War. Andersonville was itself the location
of the infamous Andersonville Prison where over 13,000 Union soldiers died from
malnutrition and disease during the Civil War.
In the past two weeks, a series of tornadoes has struck the southern states of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, killing more than 50 people, destroying homes and downing power and telephone lines. The latest storm hit Nashville on Friday, causing many injuries but no deaths. The region has been declared a disaster area.
A hotel firm has leased the old General Post Office in Washington DC and plans to convert it into a hotel. The Post Office, a classically influenced marble building, built in 1839, was abandoned in recent years as the 7th Street neighbourhood experienced a decline.
15 Apr
US Senators have threatened to take action if major airlines don't stop trying
to undermine smaller carriers. Smaller airlines testified in front of a senate
subcommittee that bigger carriers are unfairly pushing them out of markets by
cutting back prices and boosting flights. Once the smaller airlines step aside,
the big guys up their fares and cancel flights.
Airlines are being urged to rewire their aeroplanes or risk the type of fuel tank explosion that two years ago destroyed a TWA plane after takeoff from New York's JFK airport. The wiring recommendation is expected to apply to Boeing 727s, 737s, 757s and 767s.
15 Apr
Trying to control travel traffic across the Mexican border, the US is replacing
old border-crossing documents with new laser visas that include digital fingerprints
and digital photos. The old documents have been used by millions of Mexicans
for decades, authorising travel within 40km (25mi) of the border for 72 hours
and allowing more than 100 million legal border crossings each year by business
people, tourists and shoppers. The US has tried to assure Mexican applicants
that holders of the old documents will qualify for the new. The laser visas,
which cost US$45, replace business and tourism visas and border-crossing cards,
and will be valid for 10 years. All Mexican citizens who visit the US will be
required to carry laser visas.
8 Apr
American Airlines and United Airlines announced last week that they will soon
require passengers to wear their seat belts during flights. Both airlines explained
that this move would improve safety by protecting passengers during unexpected
air turbulence, and they plan to begin the program this summer.
For an African safari in the US, head to Florida. Two theme parks, Busch Gardens in Tampa and Disney World near Orlando, have created African animal parks. Both Busch GardensÆ æEdge of AfricaÆ and DisneyÆs æAnimal KingdomÆ offer visitors the chance to experience an African wildlife safari. Additional exhibits allow visitors close contact with animals and provide education on conservation issues.
25 Mar
Information access will soon hit the streets of San Francisco: the city has
made an agreement with ObjectSoft Corp to trial their SmartSign kiosks. The
kiosks are computer terminals with touch screens allowing users to access local
information such as transport maps, local services and tourist information.
18 Mar
Nebraska is not considered a vacation hotspot but in fact, it's just that for
birds. Every spring, millions of birds take a break in their northward migration
and stop off at the Platte River, a broad shallow river winding through the
plains. This spot is especially inviting to several rare and endangered birds
including bald eagles and whooping and sandhill cranes. This is the largest
gathering of cranes in the world and a spectacular sight, with over 500,000
sandhill cranes (80% of the world population) and approximately 150 whooping
cranes (the entire population) making the layover. Birdwatchers also flock to
this mecca with the expectation of catching their first sight of one of the
many rare bird species.
11 Mar
If you think museums are boring, check out LA's revamped and renamed California
Science Center. The museum officially reopened early last month and offers hands-on
experiments and interactive displays, including a high-wire bicycle act that
visitors test-ride themselves.
4 Mar
Pan American World Airways declared bankruptcy last Friday and ceased operations
with very little warning, leaving many passengers stranded at airports. Although
Pan Am has requested that other airlines honour their tickets, only Kiwi International
Airlines has so far agreed, offering a special standby fare for Pan Am ticket
holders. The new Pan Am has struggled since it began business in September 1996,
after buying the venerated Pan Am name. The original company went under in 1991
in the wake of the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in Lockerbie,
Scotland.
25 Feb
Utah will have a new telephone area code from 22 March 1998. Salt Lake City
and the nearby cities of Provo, Ogden and surrounds will retain the old 801
area code, and the rest of Utah will have the new 435 area code.
One hundred years ago, thousands flocked to the Klondike in Alaska and the Yukon in search of gold. Now visitors head to the region to experience the fascinating historical past and fantastic natural beauty of the region. Among the special events and exhibits planned to celebrate the centennial of the Klondike Gold Rush is the return of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. Originally built during the gold rush, this is the longest operating narrow gauge railroad in North America and offers passengers the opportunity to follow the path of the original gold rush.
18 Feb
A recent report, commissioned by the major airports and based on passenger surveys,
declared Tampa, Florida the best airport in the nation followed closely by Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and Charlotte, North Carolina. The study was based on several criteria
including baggage delivery, gate accessibility and easily understood signs.
And those airports best avoided? Boston's Logan, New York's JFK and Detroit's
airports bumped along at the bottom of the list.
11
Feb
Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines have agreed to a partnership
that will combine their routes and also involve Northwest's trans-Atlantic partner,
KLM Airlines. Continental is the US's fifth largest airline but also the fastest
growing. In other airline news, Denver's Western Pacific announced that it will
shut down, leaving Frontier Airline as the only low-cost carrier flying out
of Denver. United Airlines has offered to honour all of Western Pacific's outstanding
tickets.
The National Park Service announced that a new service for camping ground reservations will begin operation on 15 March 1998 - just in time to plan for summer vacations. With the new service, visitors may make reservations up to three months in advance. For a reservation at Yosemite National Park in California call 800-436-7275, and for all other National Park camping grounds call 800-365-2267.
4
Feb
The border is down! Amtrak and Via Rail Canada have teamed up and are
now offering a North America Rail Pass. Travellers can now travel through both
the United States and Canada by train on the same rail pass. The rail pass allows
unlimited stops and is valid for 30 days of travel.
21
Jan
For some in California, New Years Day signalled an end: effective on
1 January 1998, a California state law bans smoking in bars, casinos and nightclubs.
This is the second phase of a 1994 labor law that eliminates smoking in public
places in an effort to guarantee employees the right to a smoke-free environment.
Hawaiian Airlines announced that flight coupons for its inter-island flights will soon be available for purchase from Bank of Hawaii ATMs, and major credit card will also be accepted. The ATMs will only act as distribution points, and customers still need to contact a Hawaiian Airlines representative for flight information and seat reservations.
17
Dec
Delta Airlines announced that it is expanding flights to South and Central
America. The airline
currently has service to Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil and will start service
to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama this spring. Most flights will
leave from Delta's home airport in Atlanta, offering an alternative gateway.
Most current Latin American flights originate in
Miami, Florida.
US Virgin Islands
28 Jul
The Virgin Islands National Park, a 12,600 acre (5040ha) reserve on the island
of St. John, now requires fees for its top two sites to help offset the cost
of improvements and upkeep. Laurence Rockefeller gave the park to the US National
Park Service in 1956 with the stipulation that it remain free to visitors. You
will now pay $4 to visit Trunk Bay, famous for its beautiful beaches and one
of the first marked underwater snorkeling trails, and $4 for the Annaberg Sugar
Mill ruins, a former sugar plantation and mill established in the late 1700s.
Venezuela 12 August
A native group protesting the building of a high capacity power line between
Venezuela and Brazil built a log road block on the El Dorado-Santa Elena road,
the main highway linking the two countries. Construction of the power lines
would disrupt the lives of the Pemsn Indians and damage some of Venezuela's
most beautiful and unique natural areas, primarily the isolated Canaima National
Park, home of Salto Angel, the world's highest waterfall, and La Gran Sabana.
The two governments signed a formal agreement to build the lines on Tuesday,
11 August.
22 Jul
MTV kicked off a new human-rights campaign, co-sponsored by Amnesty International,
this weekend with a huge concert in Caracas, Venezuela. MTV filmed the day-long
festival, which included performers such as Ruben Blades and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs,
and plans to air it throughout Latin America on 1 August. They hope to raise
awareness of human rights issues and plan to continue the campaign through the
year.
22 June
Venezuela is experiencing an increase in the number of dengue fever cases and
has issued a health warning. Following the unusually heavy rains of this winter,
mosquitoes, the carriers of the disease, are experiencing a population explosion.
The symptoms of dengue fever are similar to flu with aching joints, fever and
a headache. If you have these symptoms, report to a doctor immediately. Although
the common form of dengue fever is not particularly dangerous, the more severe
kind, haemorrhagic dengue, is extremely dangerous.
3 Jun
With much celebration, the Sambil Center in Caracas officially opened last week.
At only half the size of the Mall of America, the Center is still the largest
shopping center in Latin America. The mall offers movies theaters, a bowling
alley, an art museum, a shark-filled aquarium and almost 500 of the requisite
shops.
20 May
VenezuelaÆs Central Bank proposes to release several new coins which will replace
the lowest three denomination notes - Bs 50, 100 and 500 - as well as a new
Bs 10,000 note. With inflation at 103% over the past years, many of Venezuela's
current coins are relatively worthless and seldom used.
health
10 Jun
The rains of El Ni±o are fuelling a population boom among the mosquitoes of
Central America and with them, an increase in dengue fever and malaria. If you
are travelling to the region, take extra precautions with your mosquito repellents.
After several cases of dengue fever were reported, Costa Rica declared a state
of emergency last week, hoping to raise awareness and help combat the disease.