Australia Now Warning Travelers About AIDS

In a bold move designed to warn travelers of the growing danger of AIDS, the Australian government on Wednesday announced a program aimed at both in-bound and out-bound visitors. Travelers to Australia will receive pamphlets at airport customs offices warning against behavior that promotes the spread of the HIV virus. The same brochures will also be distributed by travel agents and at bus and train stations frequented by visitors and Aussies traveling within the country. By early December, the slogan “Travel Safe” and a short AIDS warning will be printed on most airline tickets issued in Australia. In addition, the government has prepared an AIDS-prevention video that it hopes airlines will show during flights.

While the anti-AIDS campaign is aimed at all travelers, of special interest to authorities are Australians on so-called “sex tours” to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand. Recent studies have indicated that travelers are not exercising the same health precautions when on vacations as they do at home, an Australian government spokeswoman said.

“We must remind our international visitors of the risk of passing on or contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV,” Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe said in announcing the program. Australia has an officially estimated 3,000 AIDS cases and is ranked eighth among major industrialized countries in the number of cases per capita.

Travel Quiz: What geographic feature is shared by Singapore, Montreal, Manhattan and Lagos, Nigeria?

Rail Rise: Eurailpass rates for travel in 17 European countries will rise between 19% and 24% Jan. 1, depending on the type and length of the pass purchased. But advance purchase at the lower rates still in effect is an option for travelers planning to visit Europe during the first half of 1992, since passes may be used any time within six months of the date of issuance.

Christmas Seals: It’s time to make reservations to see the elephant seals come ashore to bear their young and breed at Ano Nuevo State Reserve, about 22 miles north of Santa Cruz. The annual 2 1/2-hour guided walks to the largest accessible mainland rookery for northern elephant seals in the world will begin Dec. 15 and continue daily, except Christmas Day, through March 31. The three-ton males land on the beach in mid-December, followed in a few weeks by the females. The pups are born about a week later--the result of the previous year’s efforts--and nurse for about 28 days. The seals then mate again and depart until their rendezvous the following year. Reservations for the guided walks must be made at least 10 days in advance, and they fill up early. Reservation fee is $2 per person, and the entrance fee to the reserve is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call (415) 879-0227; for reservations, call (800) 444-7275.

Another of War’s Costs: Tourism income for battle-ravaged Yugoslavia is expected to be only 10% of what was predicted before the civil war, according to media reports. The Yugoslav Tourist Assn. had predicted that tourists would bring to Yugoslavia the equivalent of up to $5 billion in hard currency this year. But tourism income is now expected to be only about $400 million, most of which was earned before violence broke out after Croatia and Slovenia declared independence on June 25.

Car Rentals for Handicapped: Auto Europe, an established European car broker, has just added to its German fleet a complete line of cars for handicapped drivers. The company says it plans to expand the line to other countries if business warrants. Although Hertz and Avis already offer some modified cars in a few locations (Avis in Frankfurt, Germany, and Switzerland, and Hertz in Great Britain and Spain), it has been difficult for handicapped drivers to get exactly what they need. Auto Europe claims it can supply cars with controls for quadriplegic drivers, left-side accelerator pedals, steering control knobs or levers, power-assisted steering, right-side blinker handles and central locking systems. For more information, contact Auto Europe at (800) 223-5555.

Quick Fact: Country that hosted the greatest number of arriving international tourists in 1990: France. No. 2: United States. (Source: Travel and Tourism Administration.)

When Down is Up: Good news for the recession weary: The cost of travel decreased 2.2% in September, the first decrease since last May and the largest decrease since September, 1989, according to the U.S. Travel Data Center. A modest drop in airline fares from August to September (down 1.4%) and a bigger drop in lodging (down 6.6%) contributed to the September decline. That, combined with only small increases in other factors affecting travel (gasoline up only .5%, food and beverages up .2% and intercity public transportation up .9%) accounted for the drop.

Comparatively Speaking: Per-day business travel costs in the Far East: Tokyo, $328. Hong Kong, $285. Taipei, $254. Sydney, $252. Bangkok, $210. Singapore, $208. Beijing, $140. Kuala Lumpur, $139. (Source: Runzheimer International.)

Fair Warning: Homemade baked goods and crafts, a farmer’s market featuring fresh produce, nuts, jams, jellies and herb vinegars and musical entertainment will be among the offerings at the annual Holiday Street Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 in Ventura. The Main Street festival covers eight blocks from Ventura Avenue to Fir Street, one block on California Street and one block on Chestnut Street. A children’s holiday area in Mission Park will feature puppet and clown shows, jugglers, magicians and special projects for children. From the south on California 101, take the California Street offramp.

Quiz Answer: All are located, at least in part, on islands.