Are we nearly there yet?

Tourism is big business and nations spend lots of money promoting their back yard as the must-see destination over all others. As countries engage in a communications battle to attract affluent tourists with slick TV adverts and the visit here, visit there and visit everywhere websites, the challenge is often made much harder when a diplomatic incident flares up seemingly out of nowhere.

While in no way wanting to trivialise the current swine flu issues in Mexico, their tourist chiefs will undoubtedly be among the most desperate for the bug to pass so as they can get on with getting tourist dollars flowing in again.

Similarly the case of Samantha Orabator, imprisoned in Laos on drug smuggling charges, has brought unwanted attention from would-be travelers as disturbing facts and rumours fill the void left by any concrete information emerging from the Lao state.

Media events like these can turn tourist hot spots into no-go areas in no time at all. Still spare a thought for this company that is selling trips around Iraq. Undoubtedly it would be a fascinating trip but it's hard to think of a more difficult task.

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