Iran protests cause airline issues across the Gulf

Flights in the Gulf region are being cancelled over the weekend as a result of political protests in Iran.

Major international airlines have cancelled dozens of flights to and from Iran as a result of safety and logistical concerns, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Demonstrations in Iran have no been running for over two weeks, initially triggered by the country's deepening economic crisis. They have since evolved into a broader nationwide movement.

In response, authorities have imposed extensive internet outages and communication blackouts in several regions, complicating flight co-ordination, passenger communications and airport operations.

Turkish Airlines announced on Friday that it had cancelled 17 scheduled flights to Iranian cities including Tehran Airport (above), Tabriz and Mashhad for Friday and Saturday, citing regional developments.

Passengers were advised to check the airline’s website for updated flight information. Turkish low-cost carrier AJet and Pegasus also cancelled all their flights to Iran over the same two-day period.

Disruptions have extended right across the Gulf.

Data from Dubai Airport showed that multiple flights operated by Emirates and flydubai to Tehran were suspended on Friday.

Services to other Iranian cities - including Bandar Abbas, Lar, Mashhad and Shiraz - were also cancelled.

A flydubai spokesperson told local newspaper The National. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and revise our flight schedule accordingly.”

In Abu Dhabi, national carrier Etihad Airways suspended all its flights to Iran until Tuesday at the earliest.

In Qatar, flights from Doha to Iran were cancelled on Friday.

Iranian airlines including Iran Air, Mahan Air and Qeshm Air are continuing to operate flights as scheduled.

Mass tourism gets thumbs down in Barcelona

Barcelona wants fewer tourists, but more big-spending visitors.

The Barcelona Tourism Office is dumping its “Visit Barcelona” slogan and replacing it with "This is Barcelona".

The change comes amid growing anti-tourism protests in the Catalan city - which has been a tourism magnet for decades.

But locals have tired of cruise ship visits and visitors on a budget self-catering in rental properties.

“This is Barcelona” is set to launch on August 22, Catalan News reports.

It coincides with a focus on quality tourism rather than the quantity of visitors.

The launch of the new motto will align with the first day of the America’s Cup preliminary regatta.

The new slogan is an attempt to focus on what Barcelona really is, which its leaders say includes being "a city of traditions, sports, gastronomy, museums, and music festivals".

"A real and specific Barcelona, and not just a landscape [is the focus]," said Mateu Hernández, general director of the Barcelona Tourism board.

"We put an end to a global call for them to visit us, and we do a step forward in highlighting us," Hernández said.

In 2023, Barcelona received more than 12 million tourists, and government officials expect the number to increase in 2024. There have been several protests in the city about the impacts of mass tourism. 

Tourism operators unite to fight logging of native forests

Many tourists do not notice the damage done to native forests in Tasmania by the ludicrously named Sustainable Timbers Australia.

Loggers are very clever in keeping their devastation from public viewing.

In the town of Derby, in the north-east of the state, local businesses have united on the eve of proposed Krushka forest logging to again call for Government intervention to protect forests.

The Krushka forests wrap around the Blue Derby mountain bike trails and leading local businesses are part of the 200+ business signature open letter to Premier Peter Gutwein and Tasmanian Government calling for "an end to native forest logging to allow our nature-based tourism sector to live up to the Brand Tasmania promise".

Louise Morris, co-ordinator of Blue Derby Wild said: ‘We have seen an unprecedented call from businesses across our island state, and globally, noting that our Gondwana forests are worth more standing.

"From global giants like Paddy Palin and Patagonia to The Tasmanian Walking Company, Franklin River Rafting and numerous businesses here in Derby we are all united in understanding our forests are our biggest eco-tourism drawcard, and our best natural assets for tackling climate change and increasing biodiversity loss. Our communities need our Gondwana native forests intact."

Damien Neilson, owner/operator of the Derby Bike Shop said: "We hear on a daily basis from our customers the beauty that Derby is, with its lush wet forests, the amazing views they get on the trails and how diverse the area is.

"To then tell them that these areas are about to be logged they are shocked and stunned that in this day the Government would agree to this. These forests are what make the experience for many, if not all, who visit and ride the trails in Derby and we need to protect these natural assets."

Jules Seymour, owner and operator of Pinned Property Management said: ‘When there are over 31,000 signatures from the general public, over 200 business owners and conversations from interested and concerned tourists in the main street daily, I really don't understand how they can ignore this.

"Plain and simple, it’s ruining the future of eco tourism in an area that will keep giving back year after year and be sustainable for years to come. Rider separation zones are completely irrelevant when they are ignoring the point that once these forests are gone, there is no getting them back."