Trouble in Thailand and Belfast not helping tourism ... Jaunt.ca deal of the day
It's a shame to see such great destinations struggling with tourism concerns.
I spotted an item on travelmole.com's British website today that suggested tour operators in Thailand are nervous about sending clients to at least one major spot; the island of Koh Phangan. Following the fatal shooting of a British tourist in a Thai bar that's popular with backpackers on Koh Phangan, TravelMole did a poll asking about the shooting and if operators felt it puts them off from selling marketing or visiting.
A massive 83% voted yes, it does put them off while only 17% voted no - taken from more than 1,400 votes. I dont' know how scientific that is, but it has to scare folks in Thailand just a little.
There have been other incidents of late, mostly on the islands from what I've seen and not in Bangkok, for what it's worth.
Half a world away, there are tourism concerns about recent protests by pro-British forces in Belfast, Northern Ireland (see photo above right).
Things have been thankfully peaceful in the north since 1998, when a peace deal was struck to end 30 years of conflict between Protestants and Catholics. But riots began again last month when mostly pro-Irish councillors in Belfast voted to end the century-old tradition of flying the British flag atop Belfast City Hall.
A Reuters report today says businesses have been disrupted and Belfast's reputation tarnished by some of the worst scenes in a dozen years.
"We are already aware of investors who have lost interest in Northern Ireland because of these disruptions," said a Confederation of British Industry statement.
From what I've seen there are no threats to tourists. Still, it can't help the country's tourism situation. And the timing is unfortunate as Ireland and Northern Ireland are together celebrating The Gathering 2013 this year, asking folks of Irish heritage (of those who wish they were) to come for all sorts of reunion/gathering activities.
I was quite surprised by Belfast when I visited a couple years ago. The food was exeptionally good and varied, the pubs were (understandably) fabulous and the architecture was hugely impressive. Definitely a spot worth visiting, and here's to hoping things calm down soon.
THIS AND THAT
Google is apparently helping install free Wi-Fi across a wide swath of the Chelsea District of Manhattan. Cool idea ... Elvis Presley would've been 78 yesterday, which meant it was time for fans to flock to Graceland. Personally, I've never been a big Elvis fan. I think mostly because his best years were over by the time I started paying attention to music, that being around the time of the Beatles arrival in North America ... Happy Birthday number 150 today to the London Underground, otherwise known as the Tube. It's still a world-class system, with enormous, snaking lines all over town that should make a Torontonian green with envy. I don't like the endless hallways and stairs, but in an old system you have to expect some inconveniences, I guess. I remember visiting England for the first time ever in 1979 and buying a white t-shirt with a map of the system and the words "I'd be lost without it." The damn thing shrunk in the dryer when I got home and I've been wanting that t-shirt ever since!
JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY
Jaunt.ca, a divison of Torstar, is offering a deal for a Scandinavian cruise from just $678 plus $75 in taxes. The cruise is with Royal Caribbean International's Vision of the Seas and leaves from and returns to Copenhagen. Here are the details:
Jaunt Highlights
- BONUS: Includes $50 Onboard Credit per cabin
- 7-night Norwegian Fjords Cruise sailing aboard the RCI Vision of the Seas
- Departs and returns to Copenhagen, Denmark. Other Ports of Call include: Alesund, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Flam, Norway; and Bergen, Norway
- Accommodations in one of the following staterooms: Inside (Category N, M or K), Oceanview (Category I), or Balcony Oceanview (Category D1)
- Ports of call offer a substantial mix of historic insight and natural beauty
- Vision of the Seas offers guests the utmost in comfort and luxury
- Plenty of time to explore each unique and wondrous port of call
Offer Details
- Valid for travel on May 18, 2013 departure
- Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
Inside Stateroom (Category N)
Double Occupancy
1st and 2nd passenger: $678
Inside Stateroom (Category M)
Double, Triple or Quad Occupancy
1st and 2nd guest: $688
3rd and 4th guest: $499
Inside Stateroom (Category K)
Double, Triple or Quad Occupancy
1st and 2nd guest: $728
3rd and 4th guest: $499
Oceanview Stateroom (Category I)
Double Occupancy
1st and 2nd guest: $738
Balcony Oceanview Stateroom (Category D1)
Double, Triple or Quad Occupancy
1st and 2nd guest: $1439
3rd and 4th guest: $499
Tax per person for each option: $75
"It is sad to know that such incidents like this are having a negative
impact on the tourism industry. Belfast is indeed an amazing place to
visit and I am hoping that things calm down soon so that the tourism
industry in Belfast gains momentum again."
Posted by: Mellisa Turner | January 24, 2013 at 04:50 AM