India mounts a comeback

1 India

Security has been stepped up at Mumbai hotels since the Nov. 26 terror attacks that hit two landmark hotels and other sites and killed more than 170 people. Now local and national governments are working to attract visitors with road shows, media invitations and a “one companion travels free” program they expect to unveil this month.

Officials are trying to counteract the effect of foreign governments’ travel advisories that may lead potential visitors to conclude that India’s financial center is dangerous, bruised and battered.

Although it stops short of warning visitors against travel to India, the U.S. State Department has issued an alert citing a “high threat of terrorism” and urging visitors to avoid crowds and keep a low profile. But some visitors’ fears have abated. “Initially I was worried, but I feel safe here now,” said Joerg Radomski, 40, a German tourist in the Mumbai airport wrapping up a trip he booked before the attacks.

Karan Khiani, who was on duty as food and beverage manager at Mumbai’s Intercontinental Hotel when the attacks hit, thinks the foreign travel advisories are a bit over-the-top.

“When you’re at the place, you realize it’s not the negative picture they make it to be on TV,” he said.

Planners were to start today’s Mumbai Marathon at the main railway station, which featured prominently in the attacks.

Vijay Thakur, New Delhi-based president of the Indian Assn. of Tour Operators, said the number of American and British tourists decreased dramatically amid reports that attackers specifically targeted them. He said he expected business would remain slow through the fall.

-- Mark Magnier and Pavitra Ramaswamy

2 Rwanda

Tourism to this African nation, known for its gorilla-tracking trips, is booming, with tourist revenue up 55% in 2008 and nine new hotels and lodges planned this year.

-- reuters

3 Italy

Alitalia, which filed for bankruptcy after decades as Italy’s national carrier, has been relaunched as a smaller private company owned by Italian investors, with Air France-KLM as a minority shareholder.

-- associated press

4 Britain

Poor hotel service and amenities are deterring visitors, Britain’s tourism chief was quoted as saying. “Threadbare towels, a previously owned bar of soap and a grumpy person who says: ‘We don’t do breakfast before 8 a.m. and we don’t do it after 8:12 a.m.’ -- you don’t get a lot of happy customers,” VisitBritain Chairman Christopher Rodrigues told the Independent.

-- reuters

5 Canada

A rare type of ice buildup was tentatively blamed for the partial collapse of a gondola tower last month at a Whistler ski resort in British Columbia, which will host alpine events for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The accident injured 13 people and trapped dozens.

-- associated press

Caution spots

The U.S. State Department has issued warnings or alerts for these areas:

Burundi, because of political instability and crime.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, because of military operations in Gaza and demonstrations in Israel and the West Bank.