Are AI images misleading travellers?

Are you being lied to by accommodation operators using Artificial Intelligence? 

One in five hotel photos on major booking platforms show indicators of being AI-generated or AI-enhanced, a new survey in Europe shows.

An analysis of 25,550 images used by hotels to advertise their rooms, facilities, restaurants and amenities reveals mass deception.

The study was conducted by Berlin-based marketing agency ABCD Agency in partnership with German forensic AI verification provider ContentGuard.me.

Hotel photos are one of the most decisive factors when booking accommodation online. But the report indicates  that the imagery travellers rely on is no longer just traditionally retouched but increasingly created or altered using artificial intelligence.

In a sample of 100 randomly selected hotels each across seven destinations a total of 25,550 hotel photos were analysed in May 2026. Among those popular European summer holiday destinations like Crete, Mallorca, Sicily and Alanya.

The result: approximately 19% of all images - a total of 4,778 photos - contained at least one signal typically associated with AI generation or AI editing.

These signals can appear in technical markers such as file metadata, or as visual anomalies within the image itself - including inconsistencies, irregular pixel patterns or detail errors.

When hotel photos are AI-optimised or AI-generated, expectations can be distorted in critical ways: including room size, furnishings and views. 

These enhanced images set expectations that reality often cannot meet. The result: disappointment on arrival, complaints and a long-term erosion of trust in both platforms and hotels that depend on credible visual content.

Jens Kramosch, deepfake expert and founder of ContentGuard.me explains: “Hotel photos have always been retouched to some degree. But AI takes this to a completely different level. When images are no longer just polished but fundamentally altered, it risks crossing the line from marketing into deception. Travellers need to look more closely and platforms need to start labeling AI-edited content transparently.”

Robin Wilfert, founder of ABCD Agency, warns: “When you book a trip, you're buying a promise. The photos that travelleds use to choose a hotel are the most important part of that promise. AI must not be allowed to create a gap between what's shown and what's real.”

Why patience is a virtue at European airports right now

 

Heading to Europe this northern summer? Patience will be needed. 

Travellers using major European airports are being urged to get through passport control before browsing shops, grabbing a meal or heading to airport lounges. 

Disruption linked to the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to cause major delays.

The warning comes after multiple reports of travellers missing flights due to lengthy queues at European border controls since the biometric system was fully introduced in April.

One of the most widely reported incidents saw an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester depart with just 34 passengers onboard after more than 120 travellers were unable to clear passport control in time. 

Some passengers reported waiting up to three hours despite arriving at the airport well in advance of departure.

Travel experts are warning that similar disruption could occur throughout the summer as passenger numbers increase across popular destinations including Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece.

Jürgen Himmelmann, co-founder at Global Work & Travel, said: "Many travellers still have the old airport mindset of arriving, checking in and then spending an hour shopping or having a meal before heading towards the gate.

"This summer, that could be a costly mistake.

"If you're travelling through an airport affected by EES checks, your priority should be getting through security and passport control as quickly as possible. The shops, restaurants and lounges can wait.

"A lot of airports now have food outlets, coffee shops and retail stores beyond passport control.

"Once you're through, you can relax. Until then, you're taking a risk because queues can build incredibly quickly and move far slower than people expect."

Under EES, non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders, must have biometric information recorded when entering or leaving the Schengen Area. The process includes passport verification alongside fingerprint and facial recognition checks.

Industry groups have warned that the system is creating significant bottlenecks at some airports. 

One of the biggest issues is unpredictability. Travellers know how long security usually takes. They know roughly how long bag drop takes but with EES, the experience can vary dramatically depending on the airport, staffing levels and how many first-time registrations are being processed.

Himmelmann's tips include: Arrive earlier than you normally would, particularly during school holidays and weekends; go directly to security and passport control after checking in; save shopping, dining and browsing until after you've cleared border checks; If you're travelling with children, allow extra time for delays.

See https://www.globalworkandtravel.com/

Image: Dmitry Bogdanov, Scop.io.

Mixed messages for would-be flyers

All flight restrictions in UAE airspace have now been lifted, with operations returning to normal, the General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE announced over the weekend.

“Our decision came following a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions, in coordination with the relevant authorities”, the aviation authority said in a post on X.

 

So are you ready to book a flight via the UAE with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar or other Middle Eastern airlines?

Not so fast if you are an Australian.

The Australian Government's https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ website is, as of today, still advising "Do Not Travel" to the volatile region.

Which means your travel insurance will almost certainly be invalid.

Here's what the official advice is:

"The situation in the Middle East remains volatile. There remains a risk of attacks and escalation. If you're in the UAE and want to leave, can secure a flight and it’s safe to travel to the airport, we continue to advise you to leave while commercial flights are available. UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Abu Dhabi and Dubai international airports.

"Prioritise your safety, monitor developments closely and follow local authorities’ advice. Stay aware of your environment and avoid government, military or energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities. Avoid Israeli and US diplomatic missions and other locations associated with Israeli, Jewish and US interests. Follow local warning systems and, if warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter, ideally underground or close to ground level if available. If these are not available, seek an inner room without windows.

"Civilian infrastructure including hotels, roads, bridges, universities, energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities, water infrastructure and airports may continue to be targeted. There are widespread movement restrictions and other travel disruptions in the region. The UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

"We raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel on 28 February due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes. ‘Do not travel’ advice applies to transit and layovers in the UAE. Even if you don’t plan to leave the airport. If you travel to or transit through the UAE, you may be unable to leave. Your safety will be at risk. Your travel insurance may become invalid.

"Due to heightened security concerns, the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai are closed. Online passport applications are open for Australians in the UAE."

Why visitors to Europe may need to be patient from April

Travelers heading to Europe from next month could face longer airport queues as the EU rolls out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) across Schengen airports.

The change comes into place on April 10 and replaces passport stamps with biometric registration for non-EU travellers, including Britons, Americans, Canadians and Australians.

While designed to modernise border controls, the early weeks of implementation could mean longer processing times at major hubs, particularly during peak Easter and spring break travel.

“While the scheme is designed to modernise border controls and tighten security, the early days of the rollout could bring delays, especially at busy hubs such as Paris (Charles de Gaulle, above), Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam,” says Vykintas Maknickas, CEO at eSIM provider Saily.

From April 10, passport stamps will gradually disappear, first-time travellers under the new system will be required to register biometric data, airports may introduce new self-service kiosks and border checks could take longer during the transition period.

April marks the start of Europe’s high season for city breaks and long weekends. With more people travelling for Easter escapes and sunshine getaways, any added processing time at border control could quickly build up.

“Whenever a new airport system launches, there’s a natural adjustment period," Maknickas says.

"Spring is one of the busiest times for short haul travel into Europe.

"Travellers should allow extra time at arrival and be prepared for slightly slower border checks, particularly if it’s their first visit under the new system. When procedures change, small delays can create stress, especially in unfamiliar airports.”

Maknickas suggests allowing extra time for arrival, especially for tight connections, following airport signage carefully, as some terminals may introduce separate EES lanes and ensuring mobile connectivity on arrival to access boarding passes, transfer tickets and live travel updates.

Tourists have to be told: "Don't feed the bears"

Tourists can be dumb. Seriously dumb.

So dumb that they need to be warned not to feed wild bears.

The Japan Tourism Agency has had to roll out a series of pictograms warning tourists of the dangers of getting too close to wild bears, the Japan News reports. 

The signs warn against approaching or feeding bears, and urge caution in areas where bear populations are found.

The images were produced for local authorities to display in relevant areas and for local businesses that serve travellers in these areas.

JTA collaborated with the Environment Ministry to create the three images with the messages: ‘do not feed bears,’ ‘do not leave trash behind’” and ‘do not approach bears.’

It comes after a Spanish tourist was attacked by a bear in Gifu Prefecture in October.

Luckily, that tourist only suffered minor injuries.

That said, 13 people have been killed in bear attacks in Japan this year  compared to six in 2024, which was still a record year.

Vietnam flood alert as tourists evacuated

Thinking of heading to Central Vietnam over the next few weeks?

Maybe do some research first as the weather could play havoc with your plans during storm season.

Travellers visiting the region, including Danang, Hue and Hoi An, have been advised by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to be wary of possible disruptions due to major flooding and power outages, following heavy rainfall in the region.

Some tourists were evacuated by boat from Hoi An this week and re-located to other hotels after the Hoai River rose by two metres.

The heavy rain has turned Hoi An’s ancient streets into rivers. 

Reuters reported the floods had killed at least nine people and left five missing. 

As locals rushed to save their belongings in Hoi An, they started relying on boats instead of motorbikes, since parts of the historic town remain buried beneath two metres of water.

As water from the Thu Bon and Vu Gia rivers spilled over their banks, entire communes near Danang were cut off, local media reported.

Weather forecasts suggest heavy rains and floods will continue in the coming days.

Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, reported intense downpours across Hue, Danang, and neighbouring central provinces.

Khiem said the extreme weather resulted from a combination of a low-level cold air mass, an intensifying intertropical convergence zone moving northward, and strong easterly winds at altitudes of 1,500 to 5,000 meters - a typical pattern behind prolonged downpours in central Vietnam.

Khiem warned that central Vietnam may experience multiple rainstorms through mid-December, particularly from Ha Tinh to Danang, Khanh Hoa, and eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Dak Lak.

Image: Vietnamnet.vn 

Typhoon threatens air travel chaos across Asian destinations

Good luck to anyone planning to fly in or out of major East Asian airports this week.

Typhoon Ragasa is threating the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and is expected to become the season’s first super typhoon with significant impacts on land, the WeatherZone website reported.

The system is forecast to unleash destructive winds, torrential rain and life-threatening storm surges as it rages over northern Philippines and southern Taiwan early in the week, before continuing towards southern China and Hong Kong as a typhoon by midweek.

Philippines authorities are warning of winds of 220–240 km/h are possible across northern Luzon, the Babuyan Islands, Batanes and southern Taiwan from late Monday.

Beyond the Philippines and Taiwan, Nando is projected to bring significant winds and rain to southern China, including coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, as well as Hong Kong, from late Tuesday into Thursday.

Hundreds of flights had been cancelled by lunchtime Tuesday, Australian time.   

Rainfall of around 200mm is expected along the southern China coast, leading to potential flooding and transport disruptions.

Hong Kong International Airport (top image) will suspend all passenger flights for 36 hours from Tuesday evening. Australian airline Qantas said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Airport Authority Hong Kong said it is closely monitoring the developments regarding the super typhoon.

Across Hong Kong, residents started stockpiling daily necessities on Monday morning. Long queues formed at supermarkets where products like milk had already sold out, while vegetables were being sold for more than triple their normal price at fresh markets.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific said on Monday that it expects to cancel more than 500 flights.

"Starting at 6pm tomorrow, September 23, Cathay Pacific's passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming during daytime hours on Thursday," a spokeswoman for the airline said.

Bordeaux over-supply crisis may see more vines ripped out

An over-supply of non-premium grapes is causing increasing concern in Bordeaux.

At least 5,500 hectares of vines may still need to be uprooted in Bordeaux by 600 struggling wine grape growers, officials say.

"We are losing more consumers than hectares today," said Jean-Samuel Eynard, president of the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture,

"If things don't improve, it will continue and continue," he was reported as saying by wine industry news hub Vitisphere.

Discussions continue in Bordeaux as to how many hectares of vines would need to be uprooted to return to a structural commercial balance that would allow wine prices to rise.

Bernard Farges, president of the regional wine council the CIVB (Bordeaux Wine Interprofessional Council), this week emphasised the problems facing the industry.

"The headwinds are piling up," he said. "Liquidations, restructurings, lost jobs, bled-dry businesses, a deteriorating economic fabric, and impoverished villages."

Airline to fine unruly passengers

Budget airline Ryanair has revealed it intends to fine disruptive passengers who get kicked off a flight.

It has introduced a £500 fine which it says it will impose on unruly passengers, news portal Travel Mole reports. 

The airline says it remains ‘committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages.’

“At a minimum, they will now be issued with a £500 fine.”

Ryanair has supported legal action against disruptive passengers which led to flights being diverted recently.

“It is unacceptable that passengers are made suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour, a Ryanair spokesperson said. 

“To help ensure a comfortable and stress-free environment, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.

“Disruptive behaviour in such a confined shared space is unacceptable, and we hope that our proactive approach will act as a deterrent.”

Ryanair passengers who musbehave will also will also be pursued through the courts for civil damages by the company.

Major Australian airport closed as cyclone arrives

One of Australia's busiest airports has been closed for at least two days as the east coast of the country braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, described as a "once in 50 years event". 

Brisbane Airport's domestic and terminals international terminals were not accepting flights after Thursday afternoon (local time) but was to remain open for stranded passengers and essential airport workers who need shelter. 

An update from Qantas Group also stated Qantas and Jetstar flights would be suspended with international operations to stop running until at least midday on Saturday. 

The category two cyclone is expected to make landfall somewhere between the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta late on Friday or early Saturday. 

The latest weather forecast suggests the cyclone will likely make landfall between Noosa and Coolangatta.

“If the system crosses at high tide, there is the risk of seeing storm surges up to 1.5 metres, particularly around the Redland bay area and the Gold Coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Matthew Collopy told local media. 

"Heavy to locally intense rainfall is expected across Queensland’s south-east from later on Thursday until “at least Saturday”.

Up to 700 millimetres of rain is expected, with authorities telling everyone in the cyclone zone to “pray for the best but prepare for the worst”.

Schools and many businesses are closed and major sports events have been cancelled and many smaller airports shuttered. 

Santorini remains on high alert after tremors

The Greek resort island of Santorini is on high alert after more than 200 tremors were recorded over the weekend.

Authorities have warned people to avoid ports, not gather indoors and schools were closed on Monday, travel news hub Travel Mole reported. Thousands of residents departed the island during the week. 

The civil protection ministry said 200 tremors were registered but that doesn’t necessarily mean a large earthquake is imminent.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged islanders to "stay calm" after the increase in seismic activity in recent days in the popular tourist destination known for its whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches.

More than 280 earthquakes were recorded across Greek islands the University of Athens' Seismological Laboratory said.

Tremors of up to 4.9 in magnitude were recorded north-east of the island on Monday.

Ports affected included Fira Harbour where cruise ships tender offshore.

Disaster response teams are on standby.

“This does not necessarily mean that there will be a strong earthquake, it may well be that the thermal energy dissipates and we have a smaller earthquake in Santorini - but we have to take measures,” said Costas Papazachos, a professor of seismology who is advising authorities.

Santorini is itself is a volcanic island formed by a huge eruption.

Fires may impact 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games

The wildfires currently ravaging Los Angeles and surrounds have raised doubts about the Californian city’s ability to host the Olympic Games in 2028.

The cost of rebuilding and insurance are casting a cloud over preparations, says Dr Tom Heenan, who lectures in sport, global and Australian studies at the Monash Intercultural Lab in Australia.

“LA 2028 will be the Olympic version of the Hunger Games," Heenan said in a media statement.

“Even without the wildfires, the Games will cost Angelenos dearly, especially the poor and homeless, and prove to be another IOC-orchestrated budgetary blowout, if not a Montreal-type black hole.

“The additional infrastructure requirements will strain an already stretched public purse and shift labour from the much needed rebuild in the hills.

“For a city built on property speculation, 2028 could be a repeat of the 1932 Games, which was a real estate agent’s dream.

“The winners will be property developers and the head of LA's organising committee, Casey Wasserman, and his sport-entertainment empire.

“The losers may well be LA residents who will bear the expense of the Olympics and a costly yet questionable rebuild in fire-prone hills.”

Items you should not leave in your car

Most car owners are savvy enough to know not to leave pets in their cars on warm days - but animals are still rescued on a regular basis. 

But it is not only dogs that should not be left in vehicles, a leading Australian motoring organisation says.

The RACV has provided information about common items often left in cars that could be damaged or pose safety risks.

RACV general manager motoring products Jeff Ames said many drivers are unaware of the risks associated with leaving everyday items in their vehicles.

“RACV is urging all motorists to be mindful of what they store in their cars, especially as the hot weather increases,” Ames said.

“Many of these items are often-overlooked hazards and by taking simple precautions, we can significantly reduce the risk of damage to personal property and potential safety issues."

The five common items you shouldn’t keep in your car include: 

Electronic devices: Smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets with lithium-ion batteries can overheat, potentially leading to fire hazards.
Medicine: Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can become less effective or inactive when exposed to extreme temperatures in parked cars.
Aerosol cans: Deodorants, air fresheners, and other spray cans may explode under pressure in hot vehicles.
Sunscreen: Heat can break down the active ingredients in sunscreen, rendering it ineffective for sun protection.
Glasses and sunglasses: Frames can warp in high temperatures, and lenses left on dashboards may create fire hazards.

Victorian Crime Statistics Agency data also shows a 16% increase in thefts from motor vehicles, with 53,329 reported cases in the Australian state for the year ending June 2024, up from 45,984 in the previous year.

"This significant rise in vehicle break-ins is concerning and we strongly advise drivers to remove all valuables and always lock their vehicles to prevent opportunistic theft,” Ames said.

RACV recommends that drivers regularly check their vehicles for items that should be removed and stored safely elsewhere.

For more info on car safety and security, visit racv.com.au.

China eases visa rules for Australians

Good news for Australian travellers wanting to visit China.

As from tomorrow no visaa will needed for stays of up to 30 days - meaning visits to Chinese consulates will be a thing of the past.

“From 0:00 on November 30th, 2024 to 24:00 on December 31st, 2025 of Beijing time, citizens holding ordinary passports of Australia traveling to China for business, tourism, family visit, transit and exchange purposes and with the duration of each single stay not exceeding 30 days, are eligible for visa-free entry policy,” the Chinese embassy in Canberra announced.

The switch from 15 days to 30 days has not affected the SmartTraveller advice level.

“We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in China,” the Australian government site says.

“As previously advised, authorities have detained foreigners on the grounds of 'endangering national security'. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention or harsh enforcement of local laws, including broadly defined National Security Laws.”

Image: The Great Wall of China

Middle East travel warning issued

Thinking of a holiday in the Middle East? Maybe think again.

The UK Foreign Office has urged travellers to stay clear of most of the Middle East region and regions beyond, Travel Mole reports.

As the UK and US started bombing raids on Yemen, the FCO issued new travel advisories for 18 countries spanning from Syria to several East African countries including Somalia and Eritrea.

The countries are: Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

“Military activity is currently underway," the travel advisory said. "While the area of activity is limited, there is a possibility that travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice.

“You should continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.”

The government now considers the UK and British nationals abroad targets with a ‘high threat of terrorist attack.’

“You should remain vigilant at all times,” it said.

“The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities in Yemen.”

So travellers pay the price for the US and UK being unable to mind their own business and wanting to police the world.

Australia's current SmartTraveller advisory for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is stark and it advises against any travel to Lebanon or Yemen.

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest," it said.

"We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), due to the volatile security situation."

The situation has also forced Silversea Cruises to end Silver Moon’s current Red Sea cruise itinerary in Jordan and cancel the next scheduled cruise.

It was scheduled to end in Muscat, Oman, but will now have additional port calls in Egypt before returning to Aqaba, Jordan, where it will end.

“In addition, due to circumstances beyond our control, we made the difficult decision to cancel the next voyage,” Silversea said.

Image: Sanaa, Yemen. UNESCO

Tourists urged to stay away from Maui

Wildfires are continuing to burn in multiple areas of Maui and on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) reports.

The fires have resulted in the evacuations of thousands of residents and visitors, and multiple closures of major roads. 

Over 100 people are believed to have died - but that number could rise further.

The HTA is in continuous communication with state and county emergency management officials to monitor this situation and provide updates.

About 46,000 people have flown out of Kahului Airport since Wednesday but some holidaymakers have infuriated locals by carrying on in their resorts - and frolicking on local beaches - as if nothing has happened.

Visitors who are on non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this time.

In the days and weeks ahead, our collective resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities that were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.

Visitors who have travel plans to West Maui in the coming weeks are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time.

Visitors with travel plans to stay in other parts of Maui and the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island in the coming weeks are encouraged to contact their hotels for updated information and how their travel plans may be affected.

Travel to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and other parts of Hawaiʻi Island is not affected at this time.

While Kahului Airport on Maui remains open at this time, residents and visitors with travel bookings are encouraged to check with their airline for any flight changes or cancellations, or for assistance with rebooking.

Throughout this crisis, the HTA will be providing communication updates.

Visit ready.hawaii.gov for the latest general information, and hawaiitourismauthority.org for visitor-specific information.

Image: Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Florida battling bizarre wave of leprosy infections

Leprosy is making a comeback - in Florida of all places.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US this week issued a warning over the growing number of leprosy cases in Florida, particularly in Brevard County. 

Their report says leprosy - also known as Hansen’s Disease - could be endemic in Central Florida.

The last full year of data was 2020 when there were 159 new cases nationwide

Almost 20% of those cases were in Central Florida.

The data points to "mounting epidemiological evidence supporting leprosy as an endemic process in the south-eastern United States".

“Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy in the appropriate clinical context,” the CDC said.

There have been 15 cases of leprosy in Florida this year, the majority of which were in Brevard County.

Leprosy is spread by moisture droplets carried through the air, Travel Mole reports.

The disease affects the skin and peripheral nerves.

The CDC suggests "environmental reservoirs as a potential source of transmission".

Although leprosy brings up connotations of severe skin lesions and the stigma of leper colonies, as in the distant past, it is now fully curable with the right medication.

Although leprosy can spread person to person, it's not known precisely how, NBC reported.

The disease does not spread through casual physical contact like shaking hands or sitting next to a person on the bus, the CDC says.

Rather, scientists' current thinking is that the bacteria gets transmitted via droplets from an infected person's coughs or sneezes during a prolonged period of close contact.

Contact with armadillos, some of which are naturally infected by leprosy-causing bacteria, may be another way people can get sick.

So stay away from those armadillos people.

Here is a link to the report: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/8/22-0367_article  

Paris: A tale of two cities

Australians have been officially warned about travel to France, and Paris in particular.

One of the world's most beautiful cities is in crisis. But that comes as no surprise.

In the several years I spent living in Paris, I became used to regular strikes and demonstrations, while the grèves and manifestations were often annoying they were rarely threatening.

This time things are different - a large underclass from the banlieux has had enough of prejudice, racism and victimisation.

As many visitors to Paris will be aware; there are two very different sides to Paris. 

Inside the Peripherique, the ring road that encircles the city, life is good for a well-off, largely white and privileged community.

Outside the Peripherique is different world - a consequence of France's failed colonial policies.

In high-rise apartments in suburbs like Clichy, Bondy and Sarcelles (above), or Lyon Villeurbanne and Vaulx-en-Velin in Lyon, and some northern arrondissements of Marseille, are populated by the children and grandchildren of waves of post-war immigrants from Algeria and Morocco - and increasingly from sub-Saharan Africa.

These often second- and third-generation French people are frequently looked down upon, find it hard to find any work other than menial labour, and are often hassled by the police should they venture outside their suburban near ghettoes to the city.

The latest unrest was sparked by the death of a 17-year-old delivery driver in the suburb of Nanterre - by a police officer who now faces manslaughter (why not murder?) charges.

It lit a powderkeg.

Several people have died or sustained injuries at the hands of French police in recent years - nearly all of them from black or Maghreb backgrounds.

Minority groups and immigrants across France have long felt marginalized and discriminated against by the state - and the police. I have seen a person of North African descent shooed away from an upmarket shop. And young black people stopped and searched by police for no apparent reason.

“These young people rioting have watched their parents, their older siblings be discriminated against time and time again, and they’ve had enough,” Naima Iratni, president of Maison d’Algérie, a Paris-based non-profit that promotes cooperation between youths in France and Algeria, told the Christian Science Monitor newspaper.

“This generation - they’re 14 to 18 years old - is saying: ‘Stop.’ They will not accept it anymore.”

In a country where racism is endemic, and unemployment is rife, the riots are an appeal for more dignity. The chances of success, unfortunately, are slim.

So travellers should certainly be careful where they wander.

The Australian Government's SmartTraveller site is warning: "Exercise a high degree of caution in France due to the threat of terrorism."

It adds: "Be particularly vigilant at night and avoid all demonstrations and areas with significant police activity. Curfews have been introduced in some cities. Public transport may be restricted or cancelled. The situation may change at short notice. Monitor the media and official sources for updates.

"Violent attacks against tourists can occur, especially late at night in tourist areas. Robbery and muggings are common on trains to/from Paris airports. Conceal your valuables. Don't walk in quiet or poorly lit streets at night."

So please be careful out there.

   

The resort paradise that is also a violent crime hotspot

The Mexican resort of Cancun has a global reputation as a beach paradise.

Just recently, however, it has become a dangerous crime hotspot.

Travel Mole reports that police have recently found eight bodies dumped in two different locations in the resort region, believed to be victims of drug cartel violence.

The US State Department has issued a level 2 advisory for Americans, recommending travellers exercise increased caution while in the local Quintana Roo region, due to crime and kidnapping concerns.

The Canadian Government travel website warns "theere are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco.

"Criminal groups and drug cartels are present in tourist areas. Inter-gang and cartel fighting has taken place in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs frequented by tourists.

"Innocent bystanders have been injured or killed. You may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become a victim of violent crime."

The Australian Government's Smartraveller website says: "Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to high levels of violent crime".

So consider yourself warned.

In Cancun, state authorities have urged people "not to share on social networks false news that only damages the image of Quintana Roo".

Over 100,000 people have been reported missing in Mexico, Travel Mole says.

Five bodies were found in an abandoned building and three in a wooded area outside the resort area.

Earlier this month, Four men were killed in the main resort area after a gang dispute.

Four Americans were also kidnapped and two of them were killed.

Here we go again: more French strikes planned

Good luck to anyone visiting France in early March.

More travel disruption is expected with another nationwide strike being planned.

More pension protests are set to cause domestic travel chaos on Tuesday, March 7, Travel Mole reports.

The UK Foreign Office has warned to prepare for disruption at airports the day before and the day after strike.

“Industrial action may start the evening before and run until the morning after," it said.

“Localised or sector-specific strikes could also occur outside these dates.”

It advises all travellers to check the latest advice with operators before travelling as buses, trains and airports are all likely to be affected.

Unions said the strike on March 7 could become a weekly occurrence as union's up their action against proposed pension reforms.

France’s public transport will likely be a major focus for walkouts.

Unions told French media the action will "bring France to a standstill".