Category Archives: Sidebar

Mutual Aid

Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid

Austravel Fair, London

Austravel, the Australia and New Zealand travel specialists are holding a fair in London Saturday 30th August 2003.

Lonely Planet will be at the Austravel Fair, where they’ll be offering advice on the top 10 most frequently asked questions they receive about Australia and New Zealand.

Where: London Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, London When: Saturday 30 August 2003 More info: visit http://www.austravel.com

No Nessie!

UK’s BBC recently undertook a special search for the Loch Ness Monster. Using sonar equipment and satellite navigation technology, they combed the entire lake of Loch Ness but found no proof of “Nessie’s” existence. Aaaah!

SARS

There is huge relief among Asian airlines after the World Health Organization declared that the SARS virus has now been contained in all affected countries.

Taiwan was the last area to be removed from WHO’s warning list.

Taiwan's tourist authorities are also planning a USD$8.72 million publicity drive to tempt tourists back to the island.

In Singapore, a TV channel dedicated to SARS information will close. In all, SARS was responsible for more than 800 deaths worldwide and there were a total of 8,400 cases in 30 countries.

The SARS virus started in China’s Guangdong province, on February 21 this year, when an infected medical doctor from Guangdong checked into a Hong Kong hotel. Other guests were infected and spread the virus when they travelled to their next destinations.

Luggage Complaints

The UK's Air Transport Users Council, the passenger watchdog organisation reports that complaints about baggage problems continue to increase more than in any other category. Almost a quarter of all complaints registered last year related to lost luggage. There was a 44 percent increase in written complaints, with mishandled baggage at the top of the list followed by complaints about delays, cancellations and ticketing problems.

LAX Airport

Los Angeles’ mayor, Jim Hahn has revealed plans to make LAX “the safest and most secure airport in America.” This involves knocking down three of the nine terminals and introducing radical transportation ideas.

If approved, the plan to rebuild the airport would be completed over 11 years and allow for an increase in passenger numbers of more than 20 million.

Amongst the proposals are a passenger check-in linked to the terminals by people mover trains.

Bangladeshi Bus Bust

Police in Bangladesh have announced new measures to combat the organised gangs who are terrorising transport owners, workers and passengers into handing over money at many of the capital, Dhaka’s bus terminals. The Bangladesh Rifles have combined with a newly formed Rapid Action Team in an attempt to bring the practice to an end. 72 people have been arrested so far, accused of terrorising drivers and passengers into handing over money to criminal organisations.

Train from Alice to Darwin, Australia

Tickets are on sale for the inaugural journeys on the Alice Springs to Darwin extension of the Great Southern Railway’s (GSR) line between Adelaide and Alice. The journey will take 47 hours, and is 2,979km. The date for the first departure is still to be finalised but is expected to be some time in January 2004. The new A$1.3bn, 1,420km extension of the Ghan line is well ahead of schedule, 80% complete and will end Darwin’s isolation from the rest of Australia’s rail network.

The train service between Adelaide in South Australia and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is known as the “Ghan,” in recognition of the early Afghan cameleers who pioneered the journey into Central Australia. This began in August 1929 and it was always intended to extend the line to Darwin, but it never happened.

On completion the line will make Australia the only country in the world to boast both north/south and east/west transcontinental rail journeys.

The Ghan will operate one weekly return service between Adelaide and Darwin and two weekly return services between Adelaide and Alice Springs.

For more info, see: greatsouthernrail.com.au

Airline News

Qantas began flying to Rome in 1948 but is suspending services because of SARS and the threat of terrorism.

Low cost UK based carrier bmibaby is to start services from Manchester to both Prague and Barcelona. Fares start from £32.49 one way

US regional carrier Atlantic Coast Airlines, which operates as both United Express and Delta Connection, has bought 150 defibrillators to deal with in-flight emergencies when passengers or crew suffer suspected heart for 148 of its aircraft.

The WHO has lifted travel bans to both Canada and Taiwan due to SARS. The travel ban on Kenya has also been lifted, Mombassa remains restricted to UK carriers until security at the coastal airport is increased but transport officials are optimistic that flights will be resumed at Kenya's busiest airport for tourists.