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 ...
Just open up the country for Safaris in these areas.
Well,,,DUH!
Was there much tourism left after Chirac's charade in the UN?
Sounds like a wonderful vacation spot to me.... if I can bring my guns.
They're just now realizing this?!
Don't despair, I hear France has a lot of fans in the middle east, they'll most likely visit
Armored rental cars.
Armored rental cars.
Hell, I thought French waiters were already doing a pretty good job of keeping American tourists away.
Right now, I'd say that the Islamofascist riots hurting tourism should be the least of France's worries.
"Fear is growing among French restaurant owners and shopkeepers that violence in poor suburbs of Paris and major cities will damage France's image..."
Huh?? The only people who still go there are the people who agree with France's image.... the same image that is at the bottom of France's current discord. No problem.
Now if the French EVER want to see bigger tourist dollars, they will need an extreme make over, head to toe and inside out.
Who cares...they're nothing but a bunch of greedy capitalist! Those poor troubled youths need better healthcare and better unemployment benefits.
Hunting Safaris, that is.
Y'know - I've always wondered if this was due to serial or parallel flow. No reason just curious.
Only one thing the can do, sound the bugle....RETREAT!
I've wondered if their feet were pointed to Mecca.
I wonder if the Muslim youth will start burning bikes just before the Tour d France? It will be interesting to see what this year's course looks like.
It is likely to work...the French will surrender and pander to a bunch of 6th century tribesmen....
viv a la Frankistan.
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