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What could be better than a visit to the International Space Station? According to American Charles Simonyi, there is something better: two visits.

Hungarian-born Microsoft software development legend Mr Simonyi, 59, was aboard the Soyuz rocket which left yesterday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He gets to look out the window and admire the view while spacecraft driving duties are shared between Commander Gennady Padalka, a Russian air force colonel, and flight engineer Michael Barratt, a US astronaut and doctor.

The trip takes about two days. After they dock at the space station on Saturday, Padalka and Barratt will stay for a tour of duty, relieving two others who will take over spacecraft driving duties for the American tourist's return journey.

Mr Simonyi wouldn't reveal exactly how much he paid for his jaunt, but dropped a big hint by saying the "list price for a Soyuz seat is $35 million".

Whatever the price, he obviously obviously thinks it's worth it. He first visited the International Space Station in April 2007. Of that trip, he said, "It is amazing how it appears from the blackness of the sky. It was very, very dramatic. It was like a big stage set, a fantastic production of some incredible opera or modern play."

Can someone please lend me $35 million and some thick clothing?
image: www.lacombo.com

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Tourism

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What's the attraction?

March 20th 2009 20:59

The hottest tourist growth area in Japan is a city of about 33,000 people in south-west Fukui Prefecture.

Just north of Kyoto, the city is about five hours from Tokyo by train. To the south is a mountain range which runs from east to west, dividing Fukui and Shiga prefectures. The climate is mild and clement.

Fishing was the city's main industry before the recent tourism boom.

The tourists buy Wakasa lacquered chopsticks, agate accessories and other crafts made in the area.

They also visit the city hall (pictured above), and they may even stand on the spot in front of the hall where, the city's Mayor announced recently, a statue of an American president is to be erected.

The American president and the Japanese city share the same name. Obama.

en.wikipedia.com; images: wikipedia commons, city.obama.fukui.jp

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Asia, Japan, Tourism

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The new slave trade

February 20th 2009 21:59

The Jackson Five

Nigeria is aiming to rocket up the global Desirable Tourism Destination rankings, planning a massive resort complex which will feature never-before-heard of attractions such as a slave history theme park and a Jackson Five museum. It will also feature concert halls, golf courses and casinos.

To be built by American developers and creating 150,000 jobs, total investment is estimated at US$3.4 billion (£2.4 billion).

The Jackson Five connection is due to the involvement in the development of Marlon Jackson, brother of Wacko.

"The Jackson family had been looking for a place to site their memorabilia collection," said Gary Loster, head of the developer, Motherland Group. "We visited the site of the slave port in Badagry and Marlon turned to me and said: 'Let's put it here, this is right'."

Nice word association there Gary.

The development will cater to the country's growing tourism industry, particularly African-Americans tracing their Nigerian roots. The slave history theme park is intended to be a memorial for Africa's former slave trade. Visitors will be able to explore the site of the former transatlantic slave trade which killed hundreds of thousands.

Motherland Group's plans include a lifesize replica of a slave ship, holograms of the Jackson Five and robot versions of 18th-century African musicians.

After that, visitors can play a round of golf or have a massage or ogle in awe the animatronic versions of the siblings who sang ABC.

"It's such an emotional place, and I think we all felt that it was the right place to have the Jackson family memorial," Gary Loster said. Jackson family memorial?

Not everyone agrees. Nigerian historian Toyin Falola said, "It is not appropriate from a cultural or historical point of view. Moneymaking and historical memory are allies in the extension of capitalism. You cry with one eye and wipe it off with a cold beer, leaving the other eye open for gambling."

Gary Loster could could learn something from Toyin Falola about putting words together.
bbc.co.uk, guardian.co.uk; image: Neal Preston/Corbis

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Tourism

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Holding out on tourism

December 11th 2008 12:01

The Australian state of Victoria is outperforming the rest of the country in tourism growth.

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Australia, Politics, Tourism

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Melbourne's tourism spin

August 28th 2008 23:51

View from the top of the London Eye (Picture: Chris Champion)

In 2002, when it was announced, Melbourne's proposed giant sky wheel was an exciting prospect. Located in the middle of town, it would rival the London Eye and be an instant icon. This, promised the pollies and the promoters, would be the wheel deal

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Posted By: Chris Champion - Category: Australia/NZ/Pacific, Australia, Tourism

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