Most Ferndale Tourist Attractions Reopened

In Northern California, most of Humboldt County’s tourist attractions have physically recovered from the 6.9 earthquake and aftershocks that struck April 25-26, but a few businesses are somewhat battle-scarred in the Victorian village of Ferndale. The historic Ferndale Inn, which suffered extensive damage, may not reopen, according to a spokesman for the California Office of Tourism. The Gingerbread Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn has endured “thousands of dollars in cancellations,” according to owner Ken Torbert, even though it is open and ready for business. The B&B; Shaw House Inn, the home of Ferndale founder Seth Shaw that was built in 1854, is closed but is scheduled to reopen the week of May 17 after repairs for chimney and fireplace damage, as well as earthquake-proofing reinforcements. While damage was extensive on Main Street, the four-block commercial center of Ferndale, most restaurants and businesses have reopened, and the street, which had been closed to traffic since the quakes, reopened last week.

Travel Quiz: What three U.S. states don’t observe daylight-saving time?

Gambling on Casinos: The Canadian province of Ontario is planning to open casinos along the U.S. border, hoping to bring big bucks into its coffers, according to the budget speech delivered earlier this month to the Ontario legislature by Ontario treasurer Floyd Laughren. Although this probably will not occur until some time in 1993, according to a government spokesman, several cities have expressed interest in having casinos in their towns, among them Niagara Falls, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. According to one projection, 10 gambling houses would bring in $100 million to $150 million a year. There are mixed feelings at the prospect. A survey of Ontario voters released last week said 48% oppose casinos, 45% support them and 7% are undecided. Some critics fear legal gambling will attract organized crime, prostitution and other problems. But some border cities are already making plans for luring Americans to the casinos. Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Wayne Thomson, who said his city opposed a similar idea a decade ago when Niagara Falls, N.Y., was considering casino gambling, now says “the economy and times have changed.”

Airport Bus Rates Rise: The airport bus connecting Narita Airport and downtown Tokyo hotels just hiked the fare. The new fare from Narita Airport is about $23, up from $20. This still compares favorably to a taxi ride between the airport and downtown, which can cost $150-$170 one way.

Tourism Rose in 1991: Despite wars and economic woes, world tourism grew in 1991, according to the World Tourism Organization. Europe remained the top destination with 287 million arrivals, an increase of 2% over 1990, and $155 billion in receipts--an increase of 11.9% over 1990. But tourism in East Asia and the Pacific grew at the fastest rates: Arrivals increased by 6.4% to 54 million and receipts by 11.8% to $41 billion.

To no one’s surprise, the Middle East suffered the most severe drop in tourism--dips of 26.3% in arrivals and 36.9% in receipts. South Asia also suffered. It had the fewest arrivals--only 3 million, a drop of 5.4%. Declines in Africa were less drastic, but still serious: Arrivals decreased by 14.7% to 13 million and receipts by 8.4% to $4.4 billion.

Travel Notice for Brazil: Americans planning to visit Brazil this summer are warned in a State Department advisory issued May 1 to take precautions in major cities, particularly Rio de Janeiro, to minimize the danger of armed assault and theft. The advisory also predicts that hotel and transportation facilities will be seriously overburdened from mid-May through mid-June, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development--UNCED ’92. Also, a substantial number of cholera cases have been reported, particularly in the Amazon Basin region and in northeastern Brazil. Although cholera poses no significant threat in major Brazilian cities at this time, travelers should take preventive measures such as drinking bottled mineral water and avoiding raw and undercooked food, especially shellfish and vegetables.

Quick Fact: On transatlantic flights of Air France’s new 747-400 aircraft, the entire upper deck has been made the exclusive domain of nonsmoking passengers.

Visas to Ukraine: One week after it started issuing visas in the United States, the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington has revised its visa fees and policies so that it is now possible to purchase visas at major border cities and airports in Ukraine, rather than only from embassies. Cost for single-entry visas purchased at the border is $54. The embassy in Washington will continue issuing single-entry visas, valid for one month, for $30 and a processing time of one week, or $60 for same-day service. A multiple-entry visa, valid for one year, is available for $120, takes two weeks to process and requires an official invitation from the Ukrainian government or the traveler’s place of business in Ukraine. Multiple-entry visas are not available at border posts. Visas may be paid for by cash, company checks and money orders, but personal checks will not be accepted. The Embassy of Ukraine is located at 2001 L St. N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Comparatively Speaking: Cruise ship sanitation scores for ships inspected in March (a score of 87 or higher indicates acceptable sanitation): Carnivale, 92; Crown Monarch, 93; Enchanted Isle, 86; Pacific Star, 70; Yorktown Clipper, 92; Crystal Harmony, 99. (Source: Department of Health and Human Services.)

Fair Warning: Street performers, local music of all types, children’s activities, international cuisine and bargains in clothing, jewelry and accessories from nationally known manufacturers will be part of the fourth-annual Beach Side Festival, July 11-12 in Santa Barbara. Four city blocks, on Helena Street near State and Cabrillo streets, will be filled with booths selling merchandise donated by manufacturers, with proceeds going to humanitarian aid. For more information, call Tracy Zeluff at (213) 387-3284.

Quiz Answer: Arizona, Hawaii and parts of Indiana.