Why don't tourism entities demand that police eliminate local bandits from bus and train stations? Again from trains and local trams? How many potential visitors avoid 'unsafe' venues?

<<<Why don't tourism entities demand that police eliminate local bandits from bus and train stations<<<<
Do you mean they should only allow vsiting bandits ?

Hi GSteed,

Suggest you narrow down your complaint to a country or two --

No such problems in Swiss train or bus stations -- nor do I remember any in Austrian or German stations.

s

Local bandits vote; tourists don't.

Get real...some of the people on this board get nervous when there is a sex shop within a few miles of their hotel or there are a bunch of "ethnic types" seen in the neighborhood. I can just imagine what would happen if you did a trip report that included an incident with actual bandits on a bus or train. The country/locale where it happened undoubtedly would take on a status lower than the Paris Moulin Rouge Show!

I may look like an "ethnic type". Where do I go to stamp my forehead "she is not a bandit"??

well, who exactly are you referring to as a "tourism entity" that can influence local politicians and budgets?

Now some national tourist authorities do get concerned about some things when tourism drops precipitously (usually over some event, although occasionally economic reasons), and they enact some measures to counter that. This has to be a matter of major national concern, usually, and a very strong effect on tourist revenue. For example, Egypt is highly dependent on tourism revenue, and did do some major beefing up of security after some terrorism events aimed at some tourists a few years ago.

I think even London and France have done some minor things in the last few years, but more related to some economic issues, I forget.

However, petty thieves at bus and train stations aren't really a major concern to national tourism outfits, I don't think. It would have to be very very bad for them to do something. That would require increased police funding, I imagine. Most tourists don't care much about buses, and aren't really at the train stations that often. Metro more likely. However, can you name a single city which such a bad theft problem at bus or train stations that you actually believe it affects a tourist's decision to go there? I can't think of any, but wondered where you had in mind that they actually have a measurable decrease in tourist traffic because of metro pickpockets or whatever.

A lot of tourists don't even know about these things in advance, actually, when deciding on a destination, and many don't use those forms of transit.

You mean the police would <b><i>really</i></b> eliminate <i>all</i> the bandits if they were just asked?
Hmmm...who would have guessed! I wonder if world leaders know that all they have to do is ask the police to do it and VOILA!! all the bandits would be eliminated all over the world.
Brilliant gsteed! =D&gt; =D&gt;
World peace sure looks closer now than I thought!

Faina, the most practical thing would be to get a tattoo on your forehead. That way you don't have to worry about getting re-stamped before every trip. But instead of &quot;She is not a bandit,&quot; I think it should read, &quot;I am not a bandit,&quot; otherwise they will think you are talking about someone else. Or better yet, &quot;I am not a crook!!&quot;

Bandits have to live, too!

In some places, tourism authorities are going to get their paychecks anyway unless there's really an horrific event that has the general populace up in arms so they generally just try to hush up the stories - at most.

If anyone on the face of the earth knew how to stop all crime - they would make a fortune selling it to authorities.

If you're afraid of violent crime - it's easy to avoid places where that's prevalent (not that many in tourist areas). If you're trying to avoid any chance of beng near a pickpocket - stay home - it's the only truly safe place.

I've been to just about every corner of the globe and the only place I've ever lost my wallet was at home.

Perhaps it was that ethnic looking face in the mirror to blame.

I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!--Howard Beale

We're not going to stand by idly and take this sitting down.--Billy Murphy

The police get a decent cut of the proceeds?

NorthShore,

Capitalism at its finest?

MvK

Whatever you do,HIDE YOUR FRITOS!
The Frito Bandito can smell them for miles!

Sometime, way back when, I think certain islanders used to toss a person or two into the volcano, in order to appease the volcano god and keep him in his cone. But if a random passerby could be snagged from a passing ship, more the better, then the supply of faithful subjects could be extended a bit. Hmmm, maybe this is a movie I'm thinking of.

Anyway, maybe a ripe new crop of hapless tourists keep all the bandits down at the train station and out of the local's hair and pockets.

Right now, if the crop is still rolling in regardless, then it's probably cheaper to sacrifice a few than increasing the cost of police, courts, jails, the after effects of jail time, etc.

Ok, let's take the Milan central station. How many police would it take to stand around amidst the crowds so that everybody's hands could be watched at all times? And - as a deterrent, those hundreds of police would have to be undercover, dressed as civilians, of course.

Meanwhile the &quot;bandits&quot; would move over to the piazza outside the Duomo where the tourists feed the pigeons. How many undercover police would have to mill with that crowd to make sure everybody's hands would be watched at all times?

Who's kidding here?

Venetians have started a civilians' vigilante group because things have gotten so out of hand there, and there would not be enough police to stand around if they had them available.

It's like trying to swat at a swarm of mosquitos - you might get one every now and then, while the others are merrily biting you - if you let them.

That's the crux - if you let them. So do your homework, be pickpocket-savvy and rip-and-skip savvy - keep a hand on your stuff, tie stuff together, use commonsense and a bit more, and you'll win. Most do.

Now, how many police does it take to change a lightbulb?

WK