Posted on 11/07/2005 8:41:40 AM PST by ncountylee
PARIS, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Fear is growing among French restaurant owners and shopkeepers that violence in poor suburbs of Paris and major cities will damage France's image and keep foreigners away from the world's top travel destination.
The United States has warned citizens to avoid the rundown suburbs hit by unrest since Oct. 27. Calls for caution have also come from countries including Australia, Canada, Britain, Russia and the Netherlands.
"It's really worrying. The tourists will stay away," said John Diaz, polishing miniature models of the Eiffel Tower in his souvenir shop next to Notre Dame Cathedral.
"Lots of people have come in here and asked me whether it is safe to go to the Eiffel Tower. This is really hurting the city's image," said Diaz, who has run his shop for 14 years, but cannot remember such violent riots ever happening before.
The riots started when two teenagers were accidentally electrocuted while apparently fleeing police in a Paris suburb and has since spread to other French cities.
There has been little violence in Paris itself but more than 30 cars were torched in the capital at the weekend.
France's tourism minister said the riots could become a problem for France's reputation if they lasted.
"It is clear that if this movement -- which has already lasted 11 days -- continues, we will have to address concerns about our image," Tourism Minister Leon Bertrand told Reuters.
Tourism is a major employer in France, accounting for some 6.5 percent of French gross domestic product. Foreigners spent some 33 billion euros ($39 billion) in France last year, official data shows.
The industry was hit two years ago, when France's opposition to the U.S. war in Iraq, lingering effects of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and economic woes led to a dip
(Excerpt) Read more at alertnet.org ...
I guess I'm not up on my French history....how did these people go from being a world power to a group of idiots? They have refused to defend themselves for 100 years (give or take). They built their economy such that it needs exports and tourism, but they've steadily insulted the people they were trying to sell their stuff too. Now, it's just now dawning on them that, since their country is no longer safe BECAUSE they've refused to defend themselves AGAIN, that this is a problem???
Are they still putting lead in the pipes over there or something?
LOL That Baghdad Bob is everywhere these days.
Baghdad or Kabul may be better vacation choices than Paris or other French cities this season. But then I never thought much of Paris in it's better days.
France still have tourism industry DAMNNN????
I thought everybody quit France after oppostion on war On Iraq I know my aunt did LOL!
Why worry? I'd rather vacation in South Central LA or Chicago's South side than spend an hour or a franc (dollar) in France.
GEE, I wonder why!
Maybe being burned alive or beheaded aren't exactly in most peoples' vacation plans. Just a thought.
Oops! Forgot being stoned to death...
Well, you know, tourism is the most important thing France has to worry about now,,,apparently.
What a clueless bunch
It's amazing...isn't it. Gives some insight as to their priorities.....
Safaris?
$500 per each hunting tag?
Sure money maker. With the French it always boils down to money.
The French could end this thing in a couple of hours if they wanted to. It wouldn't be pretty but they've probably passed the point of finding a non-violent resolution as it is. The more the authorities hold off, the more they embolden the rioters and postpone the inevitable violent conclusion. They may as well get it over with now and at least save some property.
LOL...
Let's hope victory is indeed near.
Sure thing. Sandmaggots have lots of bucks. And very exotic luggage items.
I'm not up on French history either, but I'd say it started about the time of our Revolution. Hundreds of thousands productive Europeans emigrated to the US, and it took us a little while to get our act together.
After the Brits wasted their men and capital in the US, they were too fatigued to harass the French, and complacency set in until WWI. For the next 80 years, the French grew used to the Brits and US saving their asses from the Germans and Russians.
That's where we're at today (at least IMHO).
But hey, like I said, I'm not up on French history.
LOL...
Let's hope victory is indeed near.
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