Foreign Tourists not perturbed by Delhi blasts

http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=57577 ^ | 30th October

[ketelone]

Foreign tourists not perturbed by Delhi blasts

Press Trust of India Posted online: Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 1858 hours IST Updated: Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 1925 hours IST

New Delhi, October 30: The deadly blasts in the capital appeared to have had a minimal effect on the number of foreign tourists visiting their favourite Paharganj locality, known for budget hotels, with a number of them asserting they are not perturbed by the incident.

Foreigners in good numbers were seen moving freely doing shopping and in a jovial mood at the Paharganj main market on Sunday, a day after the explosions.

“No, we are not scared. We love India, Indian people. We are going ahead with our plans to see the country,” Moy, an Israeli tourist, said.

His view was echoed by other foreigners who said the explosions did not dampen their spirits.

“We are quite used to this in our country. We are not afraid of anything,” Anat, another tourist from the Jewish country, said.

“I will stay here and go back to my country after two-three weeks,” David, another foreign tourist, said.

In what should be music to the ears of Delhi police, whose image took a beating after the blasts, another foreign tourist expressed satisfaction with the security measures.

“You can see the cops around. I think they are doing everything that ought to be done,” Jane, the tourist, felt.

“We should fight terrorists together. There is no religion. This is hatred,” a French tourist said.

But, there were quite a few who had apprehensions about continuing their stay in the city.

“Yes, it’s a matter of concern. Is al-Qaeda behind the blasts?” said Michelle.

“We are planning to go to another city,” said a tourist from Japan.

Managers of several hotels in Paharganj, whose majority of guests are foreigners, said the blasts did not have any major impact on their business.

“Business is normal for us. Foreigners are not scared nor are they checking out,” said Govind Prushty of Hotel Vivek.

“I think there is a 10 per cent impact. Our guests are not checking out. Israelis especially are quite normal,” said Roni Kumar, manager of Anoop Hotel.

However, there were some who said their business is affected.

“Those who are staying are checking out. New custormers are not coming. We are badly hit,” said Ramesh Kalra of Hotel Shelton.

[ketelone]

Good to see the New Delhi isnt letting this heinous act slow her down. Notice how the Israelis alas are altogether too familiar with this sort of thing in their own nation.

[ketelone]

The point of my making this post was that it should underscore how fundamentalist islamic terror has become a global threat. Israel and India ave suffered from it for years. The US and UK and Spain have tasted what these people can do. Its not going to be much longer when Al Qaeda, the various terror groups operating in afghanistan and pakistan, and their supporters are going to be rudely awakened to the fact that theyve made a big big mistake. Its already started... all the countries that have been stung by these pesky skeeters are going to chip in for one swatter... like so: PS: This is my first thread started on FR! Woo-hoo!

[JudyinCanada]

Nice picture!

Good post - in a way I feel so sorry for the Israeli tourists. How sad that they're just used to living like that. It doesn't even faze them...

[spetznaz]

This reminds me of the attacks on the Israeli hotel in Mombasa (Kenya), coupled by an attempted attack on an Israeli plane using a shoulder-held SAM. Immediately several countries posted travel advisories to Kenya, and obviously many people who depended on tourism in Kenya were extremely worried.

However Israeli tourism shot to the stratosphere, as more Israelis than ever streamed into the country, and the fallout was basically negated. It was basically a huge 'middle-finger salute' to terrorism. If it wasn't for that a good number of people would have gone hungry.