Tourism is the act of travel for the purpose of recreation and business, and the provision of services for this act. Tourists are people who are "travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited" (official UNWTO definition). The distance between these two places is of no significance.
A more comprehensive definition would be that tourism is a service industry, comprising a number of tangible and intangible components. The tangible elements include transport systems — air, rail, road, water and now, space; hospitality services — accommodation, foods and beverages, tours, souvenirs; and related services such as banking, insurance and safety and security. The intangible elements include: rest and relaxation, culture, escape, adventure, new and different experiences.
Ukraine 'must live without fear' Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:37:43 -0000 The US vice-president reassures Ukraine that the US has a "deep and abiding interest" in the country's security. Polish agents tell of CIA jails Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:45:30 -0000 Polish intelligence sources confirm for the first time that the CIA ran a secret facility on Polish soil. Spain seizes Colombia 'drug lord' Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:38:26 -0000 An alleged Colombian drugs lord, known as Beto the Gypsy, is arrested in Spain
NYT > Europe
Conflict Tests Ties Between the Georgian and Russian Orthodox Churches Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:52:05 -0000 The two churches expressed dismay after the supposedly unthinkable prospect of two Orthodox nations at war with each other failed to deter armed conflict in August.
Without Primaries or Caucuses, Campaign for German Chancellor Begins Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:56:44 -0000 The battle lines in next year’s parliamentary elections in Germany are being drawn the old-fashioned way, through back-room wheeling and dealing.
Now Europeans Are Slower to Spend, and It Shows Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:23:19 -0000 For the first time in more than a decade, consumers in much of Europe are buying less than they did a year earlier, helping to slow economies that may have fallen into recession.
L.A. Times - Europe
Czech official warns of crises involving Russia Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 'A new conflict can be created in Crimea . . . because of [Russia's] political and demographic and military presence,' Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar says.
The Czech Republic and Poland have infuriated Russia by agreeing to allow the United States to install a missile defense system in their countries, which are former Soviet satellites that now belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
World Briefing Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Ukraine: Cheney urges closer ties with West / Canada: Parliament to be dissolved / Angola: Voters go to polls
Cheney pushes ties with West
Lourdes celebrates 150th anniversary of Bernadette's visions Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Pilgrims and secular visitors alike feel their spirits moved by the shrine's and town's beauty and spiritual history.
Lourdes, France
UN News Centre - Europe
UN organizes campaign to help Georgia's children return to school Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is organizing a campaign to ensure that all children in Georgia can start the new school year this month, following the recent conflict in the Caucasus country. Security Council lauds launch of negotiations in reunifying Cyprus Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The Security Council today warmly welcomed the launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, aimed at the reunification of the island. UN welcomes historic' launch of negotiations to reunify Cyprus Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today's launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities that are aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus.
Europe - International Herald Tribune
EU split over Ukraine's path to membership By STEPHEN CASTLE Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000 Poles, Czechs, British, Swedes and Baltic states are pressing for language stating that Ukraine will join the Union. Cheney pledges U.S. support for Ukraine By Steven Lee Myers and Alan Cowell Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:05:04 -0000 As tensions with Moscow continue, Vice President Dick Cheney asserted that the U.S. would act as a guarantor for the country that was part of the former Soviet Union. Cheney backs membership in NATO for Georgia By Steven Lee Myers Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:14:02 -0000 Vice President Dick Cheney was in Georgia, where his words of support placed him on a direct collision course with Russia's leaders. U.S. to withdraw proposed nuclear pact with Russia By SUSAN CORNWELL Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000 The Bush administration will withdraw a civilian nuclear pact with Russia soon as a penalty for its invasion of Georgia last month, a State Department official said Friday. War splits Orthodox churches in Russia and Georgia By SOPHIA KISHKOVSKY Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000 August war was first between two Orthodox nations since Second Balkan War of 1913. U.S. defends Georgia's right to join NATO By STEVEN LEE MYERS Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:05 -0000 Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a forceful American pledge to rebuild Georgia and its economy, to preserve its sovereignty and its territory and to bring it into the NATO alliance.
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