New Japan Rail Line Is Good Tourist Option

Tokyo officials, attempting to deal with a growing, nightmarish traffic and parking problem in the city, have opened the first two stations on the new No. 7 subway line that will be completed in 1995 from northwest to southwest Tokyo. It will be another link in the underground system that is so useful for avoiding gridlocked traffic. Tough parking laws already are in effect. The cheapest parking ticket is a substantial $70 and the maximum a whopping $1,500, which is given for illegally parking in someone’s private spot. The best way to avoid traffic is to take public transportation. A one-day subway pass, which offers unlimited use, costs about $4.75. If combined with a Japan Railway train service pass, which includes above-ground local commuter service trains, the cost is about $10. Maps of subway and train routes are available through the Japanese National Tourist Organization in Los Angeles.

Travel Quiz: On what river were Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn supposed to be traveling in the 1951 movie “The African Queen”?

To the Beaches: For the first time this summer, U.S. travelers abandoned cities as the No. 1 tourist destination in favor of oceans and beaches, according to the U.S. Travel Data Center, which has been tracking these preferences since the mid-1980s. Tied for No. 2 were small and rural towns--thought to represent visits to friends and relatives--and mountain areas. City visits came in third. And, of significant interest, national parks jumped from No. 7 to No. 5. As predicted by travel soothsayers, June-August trips were short: just one to three nights. Although the recession accelerated the trend, this follows a national move that is thought to be heavily influenced by the increase in dual-income families, which may have difficulties synchronizing the vacation times of two wage-earners. Also predicted: Cars were our primary mode of transportation this summer. Eighty-four percent of our vacations were by automobile.

Water Worries: The director-general of Mexico’s National Water Commission says half of the country’s bottled water and ice companies have been found to use contaminated water, according to the daily Excelsior, one of Mexico’s major newspapers. The official, Fernando Gonzalez Villarreal, said 150 such companies had been temporarily closed this year for violating health regulations. He said the government was trying to attack the problem by chlorinating water, preventing use of contaminated water for irrigating crops, purifying bottled water and installing more water treatment plants. But Ruben Dario, sales director of the Grupo Cydsa company, which manufactures water treatment plants, said 270 of the country’s 300 water treatment plants are not functioning properly because of inadequate design, the Excelsior reported.

WWII Welcome: Britain is planning lavish celebrations to welcome American GIs back to the country next year, the 50th anniversary of their arrival during World War II to fight Nazi Germany. (See related story on Page 5.)

While the “Return to England 1992” is planned as “an enormous reunion,” according to a British tourist board official, the festival will also include memorial services for 136,000 U.S. servicemen who left English bases to die in the war. And flying displays, concerts and golf tournaments will also have a flavor of the 1940s.

Quick Fact: Cost per night for a double room at the America and the Becquer in Seville during Expo ‘92: $300. Regular rates: $90-$160. (Source: Consumer Reports Travel Letter.)

Seoul Plane: The Korean carrier Asiana Airlines, which just began nonstop service between Los Angeles and Seoul, South Korea, with flights three times a week, has just announced that it will increase service to seven times a week next month. Although Asiana flies between Korea and other Asian cities--including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo--Los Angeles is its only U.S. port. As an introductory fare, available only through some travel agents, the airline is offering a $570 round-trip price until Dec. 15. For more information, call (213) 365-2000.

Advance-Purchase Room Rates: Adopting a marketing tool that has worked phenomenally well for the airlines, Marriott is offering advance-purchase, nonrefundable holiday room rates that feature discounts of up to 60%. Reservations must be made on a major credit card at least 14 days in advance and, like the airlines, are subject to availability. Discounted rates will be offered from now through January, although, also like the airlines, some blackout periods will apply. As with similar airline tickets, if the purchaser is forced to cancel the trip, he or she forfeits the money already paid for the room--unless special circumstances, such as illness or a death in the family, apply.

Comparatively Speaking: Number of passengers involuntarily bumped from major U.S. airlines, April through June (most first): Southwest (2,199); TWA (1,809); Continental (1,368); USAir (896); America West (717); United (641); Pan Am (615); Delta (590); Northwest (550), and American (330). (Source: Department of Transportation.)

Fair Warning: A visit from Santa, who will arrive by ferry and fire truck, a mountain of manufactured snow and a Christmas parade will be part of Christmas on Coronado Island, near San Diego, Dec. 6-7. Snow mountain will open for play at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Santa will arrive at the ferry landing at 5:15 p.m., and will visit with children at 6 at his C Avenue Park workshop, corner of C and Orange avenues. The parade will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 7 and fireworks at the ferry landing at 8:30. On Saturday, there will be a holiday bazaar at Coronado High School, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (800) 622-8300.

Quiz Answer: The Ulanga-Bora River in German East Africa, a protectorate that included Tanzania.