Dec. 17--Japan: Tourists hoping to visit the idyllic historic Japanese village of Shirakawa-go this winter may be overwhelmed by the number of visitors. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has such a high volume of tourists and tourist inquiries that visiting has become chaotic and unmanageable for both travelers and service providers. Some 1.5 million tourists flock to the village each year, making securing accommodations quite a challenge.
Australia: Tourists traveling into and out of the Sydney International Airport will be charged $12 for 45 minutes of yoga at the airport's Active Living Room in the T2 Domestic Departures area. Unlike other airports that provide free yoga rooms, the Sydney airport is under some criticism from members of the Hindu community because the airport charges for yoga, when some say it should be offered free.
India: A recent national crime report indicates that Delhi has the highest rate of crime against tourists in the country, with Goa and Uttar Pradesh close behind. According to the report, most of the country's 384 incidents reported in 2014 were theft, with 18 of the national total reported as sexual offenses against women. The report also revealed that there are many regions, including Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Assam and Sikkim, that had no tourist crimes reported at all in 2014, a statistic that raises questions about the tracking of such incidents.
Iran: As of Dec. 5, the local government has issued a ban on mixed-gender tourist groups in the popular Maranjab desert region known for its high sand dunes, including the underground city of Nooshabad. Officials called for new tourist infrastructure to be provided, such as the establishment of kiosks with security personnel, but a local imam called for strict control of tourism or the complete closure of the Maranjab region to tourists.
Tanzania: A national cholera outbreak that began in August continues to spread, with nearly half of the country's 10,000 cases being reported in the tourist hub of Dar Es Salaam. Although health experts fear the outbreak may worsen with the season's expected El Nino storms, a National Cholera Task Force has been established, with at least 82 cholera treatment centers. Cholera is spread through contaminated water and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps and serious dehydration that can lead to death if not treated properly.
Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, www.travel.state.gov.
Larry Habegger and Dani Burlison are freelance reporters.
