Tourism

• Friday, October 23rd 2009 - 12:05 UTC

  Valparaiso expecting fewer cruise ship tourists this summer

  

  With the official tourist season starting on October 31, Chile’s main port Valparaíso tourism leaders say they are expecting 85.000 tourists cruise ship tourists this coming summer season. This figure is a considerable drop from previous years and could result in lower prices for tourism related services.

• Friday, October 23rd 2009 - 08:51 UTC

  “Shell-shocked” Brazil demands an end to violence in “Olympic City” Rio

  

  Brazil’s main opposition party demanded responsibility from President Lula da Silva in combating the wave of violence rocking Rio do Janeiro and which has left at least 35 killed in shootings with the drugs’ gangs that even downed a police helicopter.

• Thursday, October 22nd 2009 - 20:40 UTC

  Tourism Satellite Account a first for the Falkland Islands

  

  The Falkland Islands Tourist Board this week launched the nation’s first ‘Tourism Satellite Account’ (TSA), a United Nations endorsed international standard for measuring the true economic impact of tourism.

• Thursday, October 15th 2009 - 03:09 UTC

  Tag system implemented in Santiago’s airport toll way

  

  The Chilean TAG service (an electronic toll road payment system) has been implemented in Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez airport in the Pudahuel borough, thus making it easier to enter and leave the international airport.

• Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 09:36 UTC

  “Naked” images scanner pilot test at Manchester airport

  

  A trial of a scanner that produces “naked” images of passengers has begun at Manchester Airport, Britain. The authorities say it will speed up security checks by quickly revealing any concealed weapons or explosives.

• Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 05:02 UTC

  Chilean Tierra del Fuego to promote tourism as the main industry

  

  An innovative and aggressive program to promote Chilean Tierra del Fuego tourism as its most dynamic industry is to be implemented between government, the private sector and international advisory organizations, according to reports in Punta Arenas La Prensa Austral.

• Monday, October 12th 2009 - 08:28 UTC

  Punta Arenas anticipates a weaker 2009/2010 cruise season

  

  Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is anticipating a weaker cruise season for this 2009/2010 summer because of the global crisis. The number of calls is expected to drop 12.3% (17 less) totalling 79.950 passengers and 38.357 crew members, according to Punta Arenas Austral Port Authority, EPA.

• Thursday, October 8th 2009 - 11:10 UTC

  “Pink taxis” only for ladies and driven by ladies with GPS

  

  As of this week the Mexican city of Puebla has a fleet of 35 “pink taxis” exclusive for women and driven by ladies, announced the local Communications and Transport Secretariat.

• Thursday, October 8th 2009 - 04:17 UTC

  IAATO members’ passenger ships will be fitted with satellite tracking devices

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has approved a resolution requiring members' passenger ships to be fitted with satellite tracking devices based on Iridium (Iridium Communications Inc.). The devices will report ships' positions at least once per hour when cruising in Antarctic waters.

• Thursday, October 8th 2009 - 01:03 UTC

  Late bookings are making Gibraltar cruise season unexpected success

  

  The cruise sector in Europe seems to have shrugged off the economic crisis and Gibraltar, in common with many key Mediterranean passenger ports, is reaping the benefit, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.