Iconic Italian destination acts curb visitor numbers

A TICKETING system for a stretch of coastline in #Liguria, #Italy, is to be introduced this summer to limit the number of tourists walking the Cinque Terre trail.

There are plans to severely reduce the number of tourists visiting the #CinqueTerre UN world heritage area because the rugged coastal area risks being wrecked by coach parties and cruise ships.

Approximately 2.5 million tourists poured into the picturesque park in north-west Italy's Liguria region last year to visit the five small fishing villages, which are connected by narrow cliffside trails. Residents say day-trippers from cruise ships docking at nearby ports have overwhelmed their communities and the head of the Cinque Terre park said no more than 1.5 million visitors would be admitted this year.

‘We will certainly be criticized for this, but for us it is a question of survival,’ says Vittorio Alessandro, president of the Ente Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre.

Roads leading to the area are being fitted with devices to gauge the number of people heading to the villages and once a certain number has been reached, access will be closed.

Accessed by steep, winding roads, the Cinque Terre was once a remote backwater. But tourist numbers have risen sharply in recent years partly as a result of cruise companies adding more Italian destinations to their itineraries as other Mediterranean ports, such as Tunisia, lost their appeal following terrorist attacks.

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Hand Luggage … the pros and cons

LUGGAGE restrictions seem to change all the time, says Claim Flights, which represents passenger rights with airlines in Britain and Europe. It urges travellers to be up-to-date with current regulations of the airline with which they’re flying. 

The regulations for check-in luggage are relatively straightforward, although passengers should ensure they are aware of the weight they can check-in and the number of luggage items allowed. Don't assume that all airlines are the same.

But the regulations for hand luggage are varied, and they change. While some airlines will allow you to carry a large bag as well as a handbag or laptop, many are far stricter than this.

Travelling with only hand luggage has its benefits. It’s quicker, since there is no need to join a check-in queue on departure or wait for it on arrival. It's also safer to keep high value items – laptops, tablets, jewellery – with you. But make sure you are aware of hand luggage restrictions on connecting flights. easyJet will allow you unlimited weight on your hand luggage, but if you're connecting flight is Thomas Cook, you would be allowed only 6kg with one accessory.

And it's not just the weight that's important. Remember to check the allowed sizes for hand luggage. It might be that you have to buy a new bag to accommodate the size restrictions.

Unfortunately, it's not just about the weight and size of your hand luggage anymore. According to www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/overview, there are other restrictions to consider, especially concerning the amount of liquids that can be taken in hand luggage.

Liquids include:

• All drinks, including water 
• Liquid or semi-liquid foods (soup, jam, honey, and syrups) 
• cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, and lip gloss 
• Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray, and spray deodorants 
• Pastes, including toothpaste 
• Gels, including hair and shower gel 
• Contact lens solution 

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage:

• Containers must hold no more than 100ml, and must be in a single, transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm 
• Contents must fit comfortably inside the bag, so it can be sealed 
• The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top 
• One plastic bag per person 

Claim Flights CEO, Dr. Mirko Ulbrich, says: ‘Have a great holiday, but don't forget to check out the hand luggage restrictions for the airlines you are travelling with to avoid fees and frustrations. Also, if you plan on doing some shopping when abroad, do make sure your luggage is still within the weight allowances or you could be in for an unpleasant surprise at the airport.’

 www.claimflights.co.uk/blog

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Cuba still off-limits for US tourists

DESPITE the US moving to ease #travel restrictions to #Cuba, Americans will still not be allowed to go to the island for ‘tourism activities,’ say senior administration officials. 

Tourist trips remains prohibited even as the regulations have been changed to allow family members to travel alongside authorized visitors for a wider variety of activities.

The officials said that the full impact of the relaxation of travel restrictions will depend on whether the Cuban government makes reforms, including on imports.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/84554176@N00/8621671141">2013-02-01</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)