Sailing in unsafe waters...

Terrifying news once again of the reports of Somalian pirates hijacking a yacht off the coast of Oman.

This time it is the American owned "Quest" with 4 Americans on board whose relaxing voyage has been disrupted in the most tragic of ways.

The Telegraph reports "Pirates have hijacked a yacht with four Americans on board off the coast of Oman, the US embassy in Nairobi has said...

"Preliminary reports indicate that a US-flagged vessel tentatively named as the Quest has been hijacked in the Arabian Sea. There were four US citizens on board," the spokesman for the embassy said...

East African maritime expert Andrew Mwangura said the yacht was sailing from India to Salalah in Oman when the sea-bandits struck on Friday afternoon.
Salalah is 750 miles from the coast of Somalia...

Advocacy group Ecoterra, monitoring piracy in the Indian Ocean, said that the Americans were being held hostage...

"The S/V Quest was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean and the four Americans on board are being held hostage," they said in a statement...

Ecoterra said the 58-foot yacht was owned by Jean and Scott Adam. It was not immediately clear if the couple were sailing the yacht at the time of the attack...

Pirate gangs in the Indian Ocean are making tens of millions of dollars in ransoms, and despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, international navies have struggled to contain the piracy owing to the vast distances involved..."

For more on this worrying news, please go to http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/8335296/Pirates-hijack-yacht-with-four-Americans-on-board.html

Barticus.

The battle of Trafalgar...

Once again one of the UK's top tourist attractions is the focus of negativity, with the news of running knife battles in front of terrified tourists leaving 3 people in hospital.

Sarah Morrison reports for the Independent that "Police are holding 19 teenagers after three young men were stabbed in Trafalgar Square in the middle of the afternoon.

Violence broke out when rival groups of Albanian-Kosovans, armed with knives and hockey sticks, began to fight in one of London's most popular tourist destinations.

Officers arrived at the scene on Thursday to discover running brawls between what is thought to have been Albanian-Kosovan gangs, gathered to "celebrate" the third anniversary of Kosovo's independence. The youngest of those arrested is a 13-year-old boy.

Emergency services took a 19-year-old man suffering four stab wounds to his head, arm and back, and an 18-year-old with two stab wounds to his chest, to different hospitals. A third victim, aged 19, took himself to hospital after being stabbed in his neck, back and leg. The first victim has been discharged but the other two men are in a stable but serious condition.

Groups of Albanian-Kosovan teenagers have met on Kosovo National Day as a "show of force" for the last couple of years. "It usually results only in fist fights rather than stabbings but it is hard to concede that this event was spontaneous because it seems that people came armed with necessary tools to commit a serious assault," said a source.

Scotland Yard insisted there had been no reason to expect such serious trouble. Superintendent Simon Ovens said: "We hadn't been notified of any planned events in Trafalgar Square so there was no expectation from the public. Our officers were on the scene extremely quickly. However, it is going to take some time for us to speak to them all and establish a clear picture of exactly what happened.

"Trafalgar Square is an incredibly busy place and I would urge anyone who was in the vicinity and may have seen something to come forward and talk to us. Their information could be vitally important in helping us to piece this incident together."

Luljetta Nuzi, project director for Shpresa, a group for Albanian speakers in the UK, said that the violence was a reminder of the work that needs to be done in addressing divisions within the expatriate community...."

For more on this, please go to http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/19-held-after-youths-knifed-in-trafalgar-square-2219292.html

Barticus.

No one knows. No one cares....

Really worrying news for the producers of the 2012 cultural Olympiad is that no one seems to know anything about it...

In Beijing three years ago we were greeted by an immense sense of "pride" and "togetherness" from the Chinese people. Something that, as yet, seems to not be happening with the Brits...

BBC News report that "Public awareness of Britain's Cultural Olympiad, planned to mark the London Games of 2012, is low and could be better, its organisers have conceded.

Ruth Mackenzie, its cultural director, said recent research showed awareness of the four-year "cultural celebration" is at 9%, its highest level to date.

But she told the London Assembly she expected interest to rise in October when tickets for events go on sale.

"We have not yet adequately told the story," a committee heard on Tuesday.

It was also told that some people may have taken part in an event without realising it was part of the Olympiad.

These include the Big Dance event of July 2010, which featured nine days of dance events in unusual places throughout London.

Organisers will now focus on the Olympiad's key event, a 12-week nationwide arts festival running from 21 June to 9 September 2012.

Actress Cate Blanchett, Blur's Damon Albarn and artist David Hockney are among the big names who are already lined up to participate...."

So lets hope that some form of cultural "pride" can be developed in time for the opening ceremony next year...

More on this at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12471128

Barticus

Where to go......

At this time of year many travelers seek respite from the winter weather by venturing on a sun chasing vacation.

But where to go?

So many of the traditional winter hot-spots are in turmoil. Egypt. Tunisia. And now even within the Arab states with Barhain joining the list of scary places to be.

So your "Global Tourism Issues" team has looked at the safest, best bargains for your winter get away and has come up with "The Gambia....."

With current "rave" reviews on "Tripadvisor," The "Gambia Experience" say that "Although when lying on the beach or relaxing by the pool you could be in any tropical destination, it is also easy to experience the local culture and feel as though you’ve truly arrived in Africa.

Travel to rural villages to watch palm-wine tappers, drive through the African bush to hear the monkeys chattering and watch flocks of colourful birds fly overhead; even from the comfort of your hotel you can listen to the drums of local entertainers and watch incredible energetic dancing. For first time visitors to Africa The Gambia is a good introduction as it is English-speaking, flights are less than six hours and the hotels are all fairly close to the airport so transfers are also short."

Have a peek at http://www.gambia.co.uk/

Barticus.

A call to tighten management plans.....

Famed for its use by the craziness that is "Top Gear," the Unesco World Heritage Site in Quang Ninh province, Halong bay has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful of all of Unesco's World Heritage Sites.

But maybe the strict management plans enforced by Unesco need to be re evaluated after this latest tragedy.

Travelmole report that "At least 12 people have drowned after a tour boat sank in Halong Bay, a top Vietnam tourist attraction.

The victims were holidaymakers from Britain, the US, Australia, Japan, Russia, France, Sweden and Switzerland, along with a Vietnamese tour guide.

They were on a tour of the Unesco World Heritage Site in the Quang Ninh province.

According to the latest Reuters report, 15 people, including nine foreigners, were rescued from the boat, which is believed to have broken without warning just before dawn.

Many tourists stay overnight on boats at the tourist hotspot, so were likely to have been asleep when the accident happened."

Follow more on these sad events at http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1146451.php

Barticus.

Pride: A regeneration factor.

Ok, so normally I dont use this blog for personal points of view, but for once I'm going to show where my research is leading me.

In this age where even David Cameron is going on (and on) about a "failed society," I am left to consider the failings of the British Domestic Tourism market. Surely, at a time where economics prevent many from their normal far-flung, sun drenched holiday, it would be a prime time for the traditional British seaside holiday to strive for regeneration as the vacation of choice for the mass domestic tourism market. But no, really, people would rather go without a holiday than be forced to go to the likes of Margate or Skegness for a week with the kids. So where is the real problem?

Like so many areas of this small island, the traditional seaside resorts of a bygone age are left without a sense of purpose, tradition or pride, and if they don't have it for themselves how can it be conceived that they might have the ability to promote these ideas for any potential customers. And, of equal importance, peoples from urban areas with similar issues cannot find any of these things in their own society to believe that they might find it somewhere else.

Britain is broken.

No community. No tradition. No pride.

The only way to fix this is to re-introduce pride at a community level. Regenerate, yes. But dont ignore the views of the man on the street. Brighton has pride and community (gay, but community), and on a sunny day you cant get on the beach it is so busy. Geordies (people from Newcastle) look at the "Angel of the North" with pride. So there is proof it can be done.

This economic situation is going to last a long time, so now is the time to re-invent community pride, to lift people, to regenerate, rebuild and renew.

Britain is broken. Lets fix it. Together.

Barticus

"Dream the Dream..."

With most of the local travel news focusing on the fall out from the cessation of Goldtrail Travel, the Farnborough air show is running the risk of passing almost unnoticed...

But this show has some positive news for travellers and the travel industry alike, not for the unveiling of the Airbus 400 transporter (although it is an amazing plane), but instead for the long awaited introduction to the "all new" Boeing 787 Dreamliner...

But why is this so important? Not only is this "new breed" of aircraft lighter and more efficient (allowing it to travel longer and further) but the first one to be bought is by TUI, showing that Europe's main package holiday supplier has faith that people will ignore the current economic situation to continue booking their services...

Travelmole reports that "Dubbed “the limousine of the skies”, the plane offers passengers more space, wider aisles and seats and a smoother and quieter flight. It is also highly fuel-efficient. Windows are much bigger than on regular passenger jets and there is a LED lighting system which mimics sunrise and sunset to help passengers acclimatise to new time zones...

TUI is to take delivery of the 787 this year and will be the first UK airline to fly the plane. The lighter plane can cover longer distances in one go and TUI has predicted boosts in interest to destinations such as Borneo, Bali, Hawaii and Mauritius...

British Airways, meanwhile, has ordered 24 of the new aircraft which will join its long haul fleet from 2012. It said its design team is already working on developing the 787’s interior which will have a premium feel throughout the cabin..."

Positivity in a week of "Doom and Gloom" I'm sure you will agree...

Read more at

Barticus..

"Too much Turkey, and not even Christmas..."

Yet more bad news for British travellers with the news that Turkey and Greece holiday specialist Goldtrail Travel has ceased trading as of today leaving many potential holiday makers without their summer breaks, as well as many more (estimated at 15,000) stranded in Turkey and Greece..

There also appears to be bigger problems yet to come, with the news that Goldtrail Travel booked hotel rooms via a third party, therefore meaning that those with holidays booked, in effect, still have accommodation booked, but without flights to get them there..

BBC News report that "Greece and Turkey specialist Goldtrail, based in New Malden, south-west London, went into administration on Friday with an estimated 16,000 customers overseas. The CAA said it was arranging to fly customers home after their holidays and there were no more outbound flights. Goldtrail customers can call the CAA on 0203 4410846 for information..

Though the company went into administration on Friday afternoon, some of Goldtrail's customers were not told until they were due to board their flights on Friday evening..

Mark McLay arrived at Glasgow airport for a 2045 BST flight but was not told of the company's demise until the early hours of Saturday, long after he and his girlfriend had already checked in for his plane to Bodrum in Turkey.

"At 0100 BST we were called together and told over the tannoy that Goldtrail had gone into administation, that we would not be flying and that we would be escorted out of the building," he said.

"One woman was crying and it was bad for the families although everyone took it as well as could be expected."

The CAA said flights home from Turkey would operate as normal but holidaymakers in Greece were warned to expect changes. Those in Greece are advised to check with representatives at local airports. The company used charter airlines such as Onurair, Turquois and Viking.

It is thought that as many as 50,000 holidaymakers who have booked flights over the summer will be affected by the company's collapse."

With stranded holiday makers being assured that all extra costs incurred will be covered by the CAA, help MUST be given to those that still have accommodations booked, and are being offered flights for upwards of £2000 each..

Yet more worry for travellers this summer as we are left considering the potential cost of booking any holiday..

Follow this news at

Barticus.

Bad day for monster lovers...

This is not some kind of wierd love story, but instead the reported demise of "Monster Travel.."

TravelMole's Bev Fearis reports that "ABTA has issued a warning to agents who are advertising for customers to rebook following the cessation of Monster Travel.

It reminded agents that because Monster Travel was a managed branch of The Freedom Travel Group, Freedom will be honouring all bookings.

"If members encourage customers to rebook they will have been double-booked and may look to the member for recompense," it warned.

On Facebook and other social media websites, some agents criticised rival companies for acting like vultures by being so quick to place Google ads.

They also expressed their sadness for the staff of Monster Travel, particularly for those who had joined the company after losing their jobs at Freedom Direct.

Online and call centre travel agency Monster Travel ceased trading yesterday after just over two years in business. The company, part of the Freedom Travel Group, employed 94 people. Only last April the company had a major recruitment drive for an extra 40 staff. Some of those who got the jobs were ex-employees of Freedom Direct Holidays, which had ceased a week earlier.

Ironically, at the time the Monster managing director David Hawke, said it was a "sad indictment of the times" that the firm had received 500 applications in just three days for the new jobs.

Hawke, formerly head of call centre business for TUI, founded Monster Travel with his partner Julie Gilmore.


Jane Atkins, managing director of The Freedom Travel Group, said: "The business was a Freedom Travel Group member that sold package holidays and also from time to time repackaged holidays under our ATOL bond.

"Under our managed agent agreement with ABTA we will take on all forward bookings, ensuring that customers travel as planned and that trade suppliers are paid.

"We are very disappointed and saddened that Monster Travel is no longer in a position to trade.""

Yet more signs of the times from what many within the travel industry percieved to be a confident and forward planing company, and continues to show the ongoing effects of both the global ressesion as well as the British Governments push for the family "Staycation" that, although of great benefit to the local British towns and seaside resorts, is having a detrimental effect on other British businesses..

For more of this story, and a good chance to express an opinion, please go to


Barticus.

"It's ok, we have all been saved..."

I refer of course to the utter "brilliance" of "Virgin 1's" new idea for how to save the British seaside...

They reveal that "Duncan Bannatyne swaps spreadsheets for spades as he sets about revamping Britain's Seaside Resorts," in their new prime time show "Duncan Bannatyne's seaside rescue," that this week saw our hero "Dunc" go off to save Ramsgate, well, when I say Ramsgate I actually mean Westgate, well when I say Westgate I really mean the boating lake at Westgate, but the idea is still there eh...

In an age where we use so many tourism "buzzwords" such as "regeneration,""sustainability,""staycations" and more, I found myself really looking forward to the idea that these topics would be covered on prime time television. But alas, all was not as it seemed with the contents failing to be what it said on the proverbial tin...

It should be noted to the producers that saving a boating lake in Westgate does not mean that Duncan or Virgin have in fact regenerated Ramsgate, but have instead just saved a failing business, like any failing business. Therefore what they have created is a parody of "Ramseys kitchen nightmares" with another moaning Scotsman telling people how to run their businesses. How creative, well done...

For those of you that have not seen the show, take a peek at http://www.virgin1.co.uk/shows/duncan-bannatynes-seaside-rescue/ to discover what all the fuss is about. And for those of you interested in discovering more about proper seaside regeneration, go to blogs such as http://jameskennell.com/ and find out what people who really know this subject think...

Barticus.