Great Wall of China ‘two-thirds destroyed’
Chinese authorities are stating that tourists have caused terrible damage to the Great Wall of China, and that just one third of the legendary landmark is still standing. The Guardian newspaper quotes the Chinese government as saying that much of the wall, which once stretched for some 4,000 miles, has been “vandalised, covered in graffiti and ripped up for use in pigsties and coalmines”. The Xinhua news agency is quoted as saying: “Booming tourism, development and lack of funds for protection are nibbling away at the great wall. Only one third of the wall still exists and the length is still shortening.” The Guardian speculates that the Chinese government will be stung into action because of the vast numbers of tourists expected to visit the country for the 2008 Olympic Games – but points out that on average, a 100-mile section of the Great Wall is tended to by a team of three people and an annual budget of around GBP150. The newspaper also draws attention to one example of the ongoing destruction: apparently, one 14-metre section has recently been torn down by developers and replaced with concrete – all with the permission of the local cultural preservation office.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism