Foreign briefing: Railroad to Machu Picchu closed

1 Peru

The switchback railroad used by 90% of tourists to reach Machu Picchu will be closed at least two months for repairs, spoiling the travel plans of thousands and affecting the economy of the area of southeast Peru that depends on tourism.

Late last month, the last of 3,900 tourists, who were stranded in Machu Picchu after torrential rains and mudslides swept away parts of the Transandino Railroad, were evacuated. The rail line was damaged in eight places. The Inca Trail, the walkway hikers use to approach the site, was also destroyed in places.

About 500 Americans were among those stranded. One Argentine tourist and his Peruvian guide were killed.

Although there are magnificent Inca ruins in Cuzco, just 50 miles away, and other nearby towns, most tourists come to the region to see the former Inca stronghold, discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

-- Adriana Leon and Chris Kraul

2 Spain

Global tourism, which fell 4% to 880 million arrivals in 2009, is expected to recover this year, said Secretary General Taleb Rifal of the World Tourism Organization of Madrid. He said he expected growth of 3% to 4% in arrivals in 2010.

-- Reuters

3 Egypt

Excavations on part of an ancient, 1.7-mile-long avenue of sphinxes that once lined a path between the temples in Luxor and Karnak should be completed in March, Egypt’s chief archaeologist said. Archaeologists have so far uncovered 65 of the sphinxes, which date from about 1400 BC.

-- Reuters

4 Lebanon

Tourists are returning in record numbers to this Mideast nation, with its beaches, scenic mountains -- and troubled past. Last year, it attracted 1.8 million foreign visitors, officials said. That bests the previous record of 1.4 million in 1974.

-- Associated Press

5 Singapore

Singapore’s first casino-resort partly opened Jan 20. Resorts World Sentosa, a $5-billion project, opened 1,340 rooms in four hotels, including a Hard Rock hotel, and a 7,300-seat ballroom, one of the largest in Asia. The casino is expected to open in March on Sentosa, an island off Singapore.

-- Associated Press

Caution spots

The State Department recently issued warnings or alerts for these areas:

* Haiti, because of damage from the powerful Jan. 12 earthquake that struck near the capital, Port-au-Prince.

* India, because of ongoing security concerns related to potential terrorist attacks.