U.S. Issues Warning on Travel in North Korea

In a recent travel warning, the State Department cautioned U.S. citizens who might be considering travel to North Korea--either by themselves or with the tours that have sprung up since relations between North and South Korea began to thaw--that they are on their own in North Korea. The warning notes that not even a third-party country is authorized to extend “normal consular protective services” to Americans in North Korea. The warning adds that a U.S. citizen may buy food, lodging and other personal necessities, but may not use credit cards or engage in commerce unrelated to travel. The warning reiterates the ban on U.S. tour companies operating in North Korea, except those authorized by the U.S. Treasury Department for academics, sports, cultural affairs and family reunions.

The State Department has issued another warning regarding a Southeast Asian country, this one advising against pleasure travel in Cambodia, where anti-government rioting has resulted in the deaths of several Cambodians, and where banditry and military violence still afflict the countryside.

U.S. passports are valid for travel to North Korea and Cambodia, but Americans are required to obtain the necessary visas from those countries.

Travel Quiz: Without a map or compass, how can you tell whether an interstate highway runs east-west or north-south?

At Sea: Armchair travelers are invited to test their imaginations at an exhibit called “The Lure of the Sea,” that opens Feb. 7 at the Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia. On view: the manuscript of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” wherein Leopold Bloom humbly navigates the streets of Dublin; the manuscripts of Joseph Conrad’s “Lord Jim”; a first edition of Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe”; the manuscript of Dylan Thomas’ radio play, “Under Milk Wood”; a letter from John Paul Jones, the autograph memoir of Horatio Nelson and a first edition of Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” The exhibit closes July 31. Admission costs $2.

New Leaf: Turkey is rethinking its tourism strategy, and there are indications it will rely less on its Mediterranean sun-and-sand to lure visitors and more on its lush Black Sea coast. Tourism Minister Abdulkadir Ates also says that the new coalition government’s pledge for greater democracy will clean up Turkey’s human rights image and make the country more attractive to visit.

Turkish tourism was hit hard by the Persian Gulf War. Officials say 5 million tourists visited Turkey in 1991, down from 5.3 million in 1990. About 18% of the 1990 visitors were Germans. But recently, Romanians, Bulgarians and former Soviet citizens have flocked to Turkey for shopping and informal trade.

It’s Your Duty: To compete with such duty-free neighbors as St. Martin and St. Thomas, the Bahamas has done away with duties on a wide variety of items purchased by tourists: china, crystal, photographic equipment, clocks, watches and other jewelry, perfume, linen, leather goods, sweaters and liquor. The change took effect Jan. 1. The duty on liquor ranged from $12 to $18 a gallon; on leather goods, 20% of an item’s value; jewelry, 25%; china and glass, 15%; perfumes, 25%; cameras and related equipment, 5%; clocks and watches, 10%; and sweaters, 5%. Before repeal of the duty, cruise passengers ashore in the Bahamian capital of Nassau typically spent only a fifth as much as those in St. Thomas and other ports, according to a study conducted by the the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism.

Going to the Dogs: According to a leading airport terminal concessions company, the typical air traveler is 42 years old, has a family income of $62,400, travels eight times a year and spends about $5 at the airport each trip. And guess what he or she is eating. The favorite meal of airport travelers is the all-American hot dog. At O’Hare alone, travelers eat 2.25 million of the dogs each year.

Extra: Singapore Airlines has begun screening daily CNN International news bulletins on flights leaving Singapore. Coupled with reports by British ITN World News, which the airline already screens on inbound flights to Singapore from the West, the CNN bulletins can keep news-hounds happy halfway around the globe.

A passenger leaving LAX could view an ITN bulletin en route to Singapore, then see the updated CNNI report on an outbound flight to Bombay. The 25-minute bulletins contain international news and business reports.

Comparatively Speaking: Cruise ship sanitation scores for ships inspected in December (a score of 87 or higher indicates acceptable sanitation): Americana, 89; Costa Marina, 87; Daphne, 86; Royal Princess, 71; Sunward, 95; Sea Goddess I, 95; Sea Princess, 88; Wind Spirit, 91; Arkona, 70; Ocean Princess, 86. (Source: Department of Health and Human Services.)

Fair Warning: The Hoi Tet Festival, Feb. 7-9 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, celebrates the Vietnamese New Year. It features traditional dance and foods made especially for the new year, as well as martial arts, musical entertainment and carnivals. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. For further information call (408) 453-3363.

Quiz Answer: Even-numbered interstates run east and west, odd-numbered go north and south.