In The News

Terror Takes Toll on Kenya's Tourism Industry

William Wallis December 8, 2003
Kenya's tourist industry used to be able to count on the Christmas season as a peak time of year. Now, after two terrorist attacks in recent years, UK and US officials are telling their citizens not to go, and people are heeding the warning. Hotels are seeing occupancy of 10-25% only, and the whole economy is being dragged down as a result. Kenyans feel unfairly singled out, for, as they...

China Joins the Global Economy - Part One

David Zweig September 15, 2003
Just over two decades ago, China was a vast, poor country whose centrally-planned economy offered its citizenry little hope for an improved standard of living. After a series of market-oriented reforms, however, many Chinese now regularly enjoy luxuries that were once reserved for the elite. In part one of a 2-part series on China's entry into the world economy, China expert David Zweig...

Two Years on, ASEAN Breaks Terrorism’s Deadly Lock

Daljit Singh September 11, 2003
In the two years since the September 11 attacks on the US, Southeast Asian nations have taken significant steps to eliminate terrorism, despite the serious obstacles that they must contend with. Many governments have struggled to crack down on terrorism and maintain relations with Muslim groups. For example, Thailand and Indonesia have made some headway with the recent arrests of Al-Qaeda and...

Hong Kong Entrepreneurial Spirit Shines On

Pana Janviroj September 10, 2003
Hong Kong's economy is not simply recovering in the wake of Sars, but remains vibrant and growing. By withdrawing the anti-subversion bill that motivated massive protests earlier this summer, the government seems to be prioritizing the revitalization of Hong Kong's economy. Many countries in Asia had closely watched the anti-subversion bill, because its handling had the potential to...

India and Israel Ready to Consummate Secret Affair

Edward Luce September 4, 2003
At first glance, India and Israel seem like improbable allies. India has long championed Palestinian rights, and the country’s large Muslim population makes cooperation with Israel politically dangerous. But 11 years after New Delhi established full relations with Tel Aviv, the two countries share increasingly strong ties based on a common desire to defeat violence rooted in Islamic...

Young Foreign Workers Fill Summer Shortages

Steven Greenhouse July 20, 2003
Foreign students love spending time in American resort towns, but they don't always come as tourists. Over the summer months, when small vacation spots like Cape Cod, Montauk, or Wisconsin Dells flood with visitors, university students from Eastern Europe and elsewhere take jobs unfilled, or undesired, by their American counterparts. Many work 80-hour weeks at minimum wage, cleaning...

Travel Industry Fears New Rules Could Deter Visits to U.S.

Rachel L. Swarns July 2, 2003
Since the terrorist attacks of Sep. 2001 slowed domestic and international tourism, the US travel industry has struggled to regain its footing. Now, the Travel Industry Association of America, a group made up of the country’s largest airlines and hotels, is warning the government that new anti-terrorism laws could deter many US-bound tourists and further harm the American economy. The rules will...