Iceland & New Zealand most friendly to tourists (not Bolivia) ... Deal of the Day

Looking for a warm embrace? Try a trip to New Zealand or Iceland. But don’t even think of Bolivia or Venezuela.

A global tourism study by the World Economic Forum that ranks countries on tourism (I referred to it a few days ago as Canada was ranked eighth overall in the world) also looks at how welcoming they are to tourists. And apparently not everyone exhibits the same level of hospitality.

The study gave top scores to Iceland and New Zealand, with 6.8 marks. Next were Morocco, Macedonia, Austria and Senegal at 6.7, followed by Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland and Burkina Faso at 6.6. Canada was ranked 12th, with a mark of 6.4.

Not bad. And way ahead of the UK, which came 55th, and the U.S., which ranked a dismal 102nd out of 140.

The worst was Bolivia, which was ranked 140th in the world for warm welcomes with a mark of just 4.1. Why? I haven’t a clue, although I did find it funny that the first photo I found of Bolivia in the Star's library this morning was the one at right, showing a guy at a festival south of La Paz looking like he might be ready to cold-cock a visitor from Orillia.

I went on the Internet this morning and found some nice photos. But I can't say I had much of a mental image of the place before today, except for Lake Titicaca. The mountains look kinda pretty in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Aside from the shooting and violent deaths, I mean.

Next worst was Venezuela (maybe a new president will help) at 4.5, followed by Russia at 5.0. Rounding out the bottom ten were Kuwait, Latvia, Iran, Pakistan, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Mongolia.

I’ve never been to any of those. But I did meet a guy from Bulgaria once. It was 1985, and I was a general assignment report for the Star working out of 1 Yonge St. There had been an incident about some Bulgarians being expelled from Canada, allegedly for spying. Something to do with computers.

I was dispatched forthwith to the Bulgarian consul’s office, which I recall was in a decrepit building near the old Winston’s restaurant downtown. I walked into an office that looked like a reject from the old Barney Miller TV show, with a sagging sofa and tired looking flowers and photos on the wall of burly generals in full military regalia.

It was like the Cold War was still at full throttle. I started leafing through a really horrible magazine showing sad-looking buildings in Sofia and pictures of Bulgarian peasants stomping wine grapes and smiling and doing all sorts of other delightful things that peasants do. Then I got called onto the carpet. A man who looked a lot like one of the Bulgarian generals on the wall (you know the type; one eyebrow, which you could’ve cut with a lawnmower set on high) peered menacingly at me over his desk and said in a thick, thick accent, “So, how come you never write anything good about Bulgaria.”

I was stymied. Not to mention baffled.

“Sir,” I told him. “I’ve never written ANYTHING about Bulgaria.”

I had to explain I was a general assignment person, not a seasoned European correspondent. He took it well enough and was actually fairly pleasant, as I recall. He insisted, of course, that no Bulgarian would consider spying on Canada.

And that’s my Bulgaria story.

TRANSAT REBOUND?

Transat still lost money in the last quarter. But not as much.

The Montreal-based company reported losses of $15.1 million for the final three months of 2012, which is substantial but far less than the $29.5 million they lost in the same quarter in 2011.

In a story on OpenJaw.com, chief executive Jean-Marc Eustache says the time to make money is right now.

“Tomorrow morning I plan on being profitable,” Eustache told a Montreal press conference. “Make no mistake, we will be profitable this year. If not, we have to fire the President. This is not a sustainable situation. We are not in business to lose money."

Eustache admitted that he expects Air Canada’s new leisure airline Rouge to offer new competition. "For sure there is concern. Their President (Calin Rovinescu) has said very clearly that he is going after Air Transat. This summer their capacity is negligible. And it remains to be seen how quickly the 767's are moved over from AC. But am I afraid? No. I have seen a lot of competition over the last 25 years. In fact, on one of the most competitive routes - Paris - we make money. AF (Air France) is #1. Then us. Then AC.”

Still, Canadian Press quoted one Bay Street analyst as saying the improvement was "below expectations" and that the company's "outlook remains muddled."

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY 

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal available for a great trip to Peru at a very reasonable price of $2,324, including $325 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $400 per person by booking this offer through Jaunt!
• BONUS: June 20th departure date includes VIP access at Inti Raymi festival in Cusco
• 10-day/9-night Peru Highlights Tour, including visits to Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and more!
• Includes round-trip flight from Toronto to Lima, domestic flights as per itinerary, and airport/hotel transfers in Peru
• Transportation throughout the tour via deluxe vehicle, domestic air, train, and bus
• Meals include daily buffet breakfast and two lunches throughout the tour
• Accommodations are double occupancy. Refer to itinerary for hotels (or similar)
• Includes accompaniment of an English-speaking guide and all entrance fees as per the itinerary
• You'll travel to Machu Picchu - one of the most famous sites in the world
• Spend some time travelling through amazing landscapes on a scenic train ride
• Tour includes accommodations, breakfasts, all transportations tickets and English speaking guides

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates: June 20, Sept 4, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
• Option to upgrade train travel to Vistadome train service for additional $100 per person, offering glass ceilings for better view of scenery, and meals on board.
  For Upgrade, Other DATES and GATEWAYS call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Jun 20, 2013
  Single: $2675 plus tax
  Double: $2255 plus tax
  Tax: $325
  
  Sep 04, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
  Single: $2419 plus tax
  Double: $1999 plus tax    
  Tax: $325
  
  Vancouver:
  Jun 20, 2013
  Single: $3025 plus tax
  Double: $2605 plus tax
  Tax: $325
  
  Sep 04, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
  Single: $2769    
  Double: $2349    
  Tax: $325
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking