Author: Kim du Toit

Quote Of The Day

QOTD

Talking about this burning issue:

“If lithium-ion batteries weren’t powering vehicles that are supposed to save the planet from climate change, they would not be in such widespread use. Perhaps we can find another power source to save the planet that isn’t so hard to put out if it burns, doesn’t let off toxic gases when it’s on fire, and can be manufactured in the United States.”

I think he’s talking about the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine… and not something powered by faerie-dust and unicorn flatulence.

Opening That Box

Journalist Scum, Writing

Here’s a good one (via Insty, thankee Squire):

The Washington Post is planning to let amateur writers submit columns — with the help of AI

Well, I’m pretty much an “amateur writer”, but I guess my invitation to participate in said exercise got lost in the mail or something.  Still, I’m ready to pitch in.

And I won’t even need A.I.

However, I will need to do some preparation beforehand, so my Readers are welcome to suggest which topics they’d like to see me cover in the WashPo, in my usual style and manner.

Asking For It

Travels

The inhabitants of various European tourist “hot spots” have recently been rebelling against the incursion of said tourists who, they claim, are making their home towns unaffordable and unbearable.  (I talked about it here, some time ago.)

Well, it seems as though they’re getting what they asked for:

Bookings in some of Mallorca’s most popular summer holiday resorts have slumped by as much as 20 per cent, say hoteliers on the Balearic Island, suggesting holidaymakers are voting with their feet following anti-tourism marches.
The hoteliers association that represents the resorts of Alcudia and Can Picafort say their key markets have slowed in recent months.
The news comes following major anti-tourism protests across mainland Spain and its islands this year – with another huge protest march in the pipeline for Mallorca’s capital next weekend.
Last week, thousands of defiant anti-tourism protesters vowed to bring the streets of Palma to a standstill on June 15th, with representatives of around 60 groups saying they’re planning to march.

Well, let’s hope all the “death to touristas” thing doesn’t kill the destinations altogether.  I suspect the locals would not care for that either.

Then there’s this take:

Pablo Riera-Marsa, president of the hotelier’s Association, said: ‘We are seeing how the German market, traditionally our Number 1 market, is the one that has slowed down the most.’
However, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that the group is optimistic that late bookings would still see figures rise, saying tourists were edging their bets on bargain last-gasp deals.  
He explained: ‘We are detecting that this season, last-minute bookings are once again becoming more popular, with tourists waiting for special offers and promotions before making their purchase decisions.’ 

Hate to say it, Pablo me old mate, but the kind of tourists who jump at the bargains are more likely to be the kind of tourists you don’t want.