Antigua
Tourists coming off cruise ships for short island visits can be vulnerable to scams by people who know tourists cannot afford delay for fear of missing the ship. Visitors from Brooklyn recently disputed a taxi fare and ended up in a brawl with police, then were arrested while their ship sailed away. The dispute erupted because they thought a $50 taxi fare was for a round trip; the driver insisted it was for one way and drove them to the police station when they refused to pay. The ultimate lessons: Know the deal upfront, and be prepared to pay the price if confronted with a rip-off. The cost of missing the boat could be higher.
Brazil
An Italian tourist married to a Brazilian woman ran afoul of a new law to prevent child sex abuse when witnesses reported him to police for kissing his 8-year-old daughter on a public beach in Fortaleza. The family was vacationing in Brazil and due to return to Italy, but the father was detained pending investigation. The man’s wife said the case was a misunderstanding, and resort staff said they had seen nothing unusual. But Fortaleza had a serious problem with sex tourism, and the law is being taken very seriously.
China
Trouble returned to the restive Xinjiang province’s capital, Urumqi, Sept. 3 when protests were triggered by reports of syringe attacks between ethnic groups. Han Chinese blamed Uighurs, but authorities said both groups had suffered such stabbings. Five people were killed in the unrest, and police came out in force to prevent further incidents. Ethnic violence killed 200 people in July.
Maldives
The government intends to levy an environment tax on all tourists, assuming lawmakers approve the plan by President Mohamed Nasheed. The tax will be $3 per tourist per day and will help fund projects to convert the Maldives to only renewable energy. The tax is intended in part to raise awareness about climate change. Scientists forecast that rising seas will submerge most of the Maldives by 2100.
Spain
A common ATM scam is for children to swoop in and grab money just as cash is dispensed. Children can steal with no fear of punishment, because under Spanish law, children younger than 14 cannot be prosecuted, so they are taken to day centers and then let go.
———-
Compiled from various news services and travel sources. For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax, 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
