2006 became a record year for global tourism
The number of tourists who visited other countries increased by 4.5% in the past year compared to 2005, reaching 842 million people. This was reported by the World Tourism Organization.
The largest influx of tourists was observed in South Asia - their number grew by 10% compared to 2005. India is the most attractive country in this region for foreign travelers. Significant growth was also noted in Africa – 8.1%. The majority of foreign travelers visited South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the number of tourists increased by 7.6%, in Europe - by 4%. Here, Germany became the leader, where the FIFA World Cup was held. Traditionally, many tourists visited Italy and Spain. A similar result was achieved by the tourism industry of the Middle East.
In 2006, the number of international tourists to countries in South and North America grew by only 2%. Such low figures are associated with a decrease in the number of tourists who visited Canada and Mexico.
As for Ukraine, in 2006, 18.9 million foreign citizens visited our country. Compared to 2005, inbound tourist flow increased by 7%.
As reported by the State Tourism and Resorts Service, the structure of inbound flow by country of origin is as follows: CIS countries - 11.9 million people (63% of total inbound flow), EU countries - 6.3 million people (33%), other countries - 0.6 million people (4%). The number of visits from CIS citizens increased by 9%. The largest increase in flows came from neighboring countries: from Russia by 380,000 people, from Belarus by 285,100, from Moldova by 275,000. Russian citizens account for 34% of inbound flow, Poland - 21%, Moldova - 16%, Belarus - 11%, Hungary - 6%, Slovakia - 3%, Romania - 2%.
During 2006, outbound tourist flow amounted to 16.9 million people. Structure of outbound flow by country of origin: CIS countries - 8.3 million people (49% of flow), EU countries - 7.4 million people (44%), other countries - 1.1 million people (7%).
Introduction of the euro helped fight unemployment
In the EU member states that adopted the single European currency, since the introduction of the euro in non-cash circulation in 1999 to the present day, over 12 million new jobs have been created, while in the eight years preceding the euro, fewer than 3 million were created, said the head of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet.
Meanwhile, according to a survey conducted by the British publication "Financial Times", despite statements by institutional leaders about the advantages of the euro, the majority of the population in France, Italy, Spain, and Germany believes that the introduction of the single European currency had a negative effect on their countries' economies and regret the loss of the national currency. This was stated by more than two-thirds of French, Italian, and Spanish respondents, as well as a majority of Germans. A total of 5,314 people participated in the survey.
Since January 1, 2007, the eurozone includes 13 EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Finland, and Slovenia.
Ukrainian migrant workers to create a trade union in Russia
In Russia, a Trade Union of Ukrainian Workers will be established on the basis of the Russian-Ukrainian Information Center. This was announced at a press conference in Kyiv by one of the center's experts, Oleg Bondarenko.
According to him, this initiative arose because "the introduction of new, stricter rules for obtaining work permits for Ukrainians in Russia could lead to significant problems." "Therefore, this trade union should provide assistance to Ukrainians in Russia in obtaining permits to work in Russia," Bondarenko explained.
According to experts, currently 4 million Ukrainians work outside their country. In 2005, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry estimated the number of Ukrainian citizens going to work in Russia at 1.2 million people.
Belarus intends to repatriate all compatriots
The government of Belarus is preparing a law "On compatriots living abroad." This was reported by the country's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Kosinets, as relayed by the BELTA news agency.
According to him, official Minsk intends to optimize migration processes in Belarus. First of all, this concerns creating conditions for the return of ethnic Belarusians to their homeland. A special group has been created in the Council of the Republic to address this issue.
Currently, over 3 million ethnic Belarusians live abroad. "We will welcome the return of compatriots to their native land," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed. He also reported that migration processes have a high positive balance. "In 2006, this figure exceeded 5,000 people," Kosinets informed.
Currently, a program for the return of compatriots is also in effect in Russia. It is designed for 2006-2012. Each Russian region presented its own repatriation program based on local specifics and labor needs.
British police to look under pedestrians' clothing
British authorities plan to install X-ray cameras on the streets, which can be used to identify suspected terrorists. This is stated in a proposal developed by the UK Home Office and sent to the prime minister's security advisors.
The tabloid The Sun has obtained an internal document dated January 17. It discusses plans to use technologies already tested in airports to facilitate the search for weapons and explosives. At the same time, the document expresses concern over public reaction to the innovation, as it allows police officers to see what people have under their clothes. One proposed measure is that women should only be monitored by female police officers. However, the document notes that adhering to the principle of 'women monitoring women' when observing large crowds would be 'very problematic'.
Japan introduces biometric control system
Testing of a new passenger control system using biometric data has begun at Japan's Narita Airport. The experiment will last for two months. Those wishing to participate will receive a special personalized plastic card with a microchip that will store the passenger's passport data and index fingerprint.
A glass booth has been installed at the boarding gate. To enter it, you must place the first page of your passport on a special scanner. Inside there is a special machine where you need to insert the card with biometric data. The device compares the information scanned from the passport with the data on the card. Finally, you place your finger on a sensor and indicate your seat preference in the aircraft cabin. The machine immediately issues a boarding pass. Only after that can you proceed to board.
The entire procedure takes about a minute and, according to airport representatives, will significantly simplify and shorten the check-in process. It is expected that the new system will replace ordinary passport control. However, only Japanese citizens will be able to use these facilities. The first phase of testing will end on March 23. A total of about 2,000 people are participating.
According to Japanese media, the Passport Control Division of the Japanese Ministry of Justice, based on the results of the experiment, plans to introduce such technologies at the country's international airports by November 2007. Airport representatives also promise to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of personal data, which will be aggregated and stored centrally in electronic form.