Tag Archives: tourists

Card transactions banned in the Vatican

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Card transactions banned in the Vatican

By Gay Nagle Myers

Vatican St Peters SquareTourists headed to the Vatican’s museums and shops now need cash for tickets and souvenirs. Credit and debit cards no longer are accepted.

The Bank of Italy decided to block electronic payments, effective Jan. 1, due to concerns that the tiny city-state has not fully complied with stringent European Union safeguards against money laundering. This means that Italian banks no longer are authorized to operate within the Vatican.

All ATM machines are being removed, and cash is needed at the ticket booths for admission to the Vatican’s museums and guided tours. Souvenir shops will accept euros, dollars but no cards.

The ability to buy tours online using credit or debit cards will end on Jan. 15.

Mexico projects 52 million tourists in 2012

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Mexico projects 52 million tourists in 2012

By Gay Nagle Myers
More than 52 million tourists will visit Mexico this year, forecasted the Mexican Ministry of Tourism.

Predictions followed a solid holiday season and strong winter occupancy thus far, particularly in the resort areas.

The number of air arrivals in December was was up 13% over December 2010.

A total of 1.07 million international travelers visited Mexico last month, with U.S. visitors up 10.6% over the same month a year ago.

Year-end figures for 2011 are not yet tallied.

“We envisage that 2012 will be a record-breaking year for Mexico in terms of tourism numbers,” said Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, COO of the Mexico Tourism Board.

“The board will continue to market directly to non-traditional markets in Europe and Asia as well as the U.S. and Canada,” he said.

A key focus this year will be an awareness campaign targeting travel to the five states that comprise the ancient world of the Maya: Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, Chiapas and Yucatan.