Tourism to Italy dropped 25 per cent in 2008 from the previous year.  The tourism industry is the country’s most important business, affecting many other industries: restaurateurs and tour bus operators both complain of empty seats.  The country claims that fewer visitors are coming from Europe, Russia and Japan; however the most missed tourists are from the United States.  Read more… continue reading...

In a move that has received little North American fanfare, China has closed Tibet to foreign visitors.  Some speculate the timing of this move is an aim either to prevent a replay of last year’s violent protests marking the 10 March anniversary of the uprising against Chinese rule, or at least to prevent Westerners from witnessing the violence.  Read more… continue reading...