wo16: industry

2011年10月18日星期二

Japan tourism industry recovering

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6 October 2011 Last updated at 11:20 GMT

Himeji Castle is one of 14 World Heritage sites in Japan Japan's tourism industry is showing signs of recovery following the devastating tsunami and earthquake last March, according to a report.

The World Travel & Tourism Council said that foreign visitor numbers in June and July were 36% lower than for the same period last year.

In comparison, visitor numbers fell 62% in April and 50% in May year-on-year.

"So, while a full recovery is still some way off, the situation has improved significantly," the WTTC said.

The council's president and chief executive David Scowsill said in the report: "As the world's third largest travel and tourism economy, the recovery of Japan is one of the most compelling issues facing the industry anywhere in the world."

Prior to the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March, Japan's travel and tourism industry was expected to provide nearly 1.5 million jobs in 2011 and to directly contribute 2.2% of total Japan's gross domestic product.

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2011年9月17日星期六

Quebec roadwork industry rife with corruption: report

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A leaked report prepared by Quebec's anti-corruption squad and obtained by Radio-Canada describes the province's roadwork industry as rife with underground deals and tied to organized crime.

The report, obtained by the CBC's French-language service, says it's routine for consulting engineering firms to inflate estimates for projects and for entrepreneurs to go over budget.

In some cases, they're the same entrepreneurs who attempt to charge the Ministry of Transportation for extras.

The ministry rarely fights those overages and, when it does, often settles out of court, the investigation found.

The report also says some of the money may end up being passed from the consulting firms on to political parties or used to pay workers under the table.