Hundreds of thousands of Muslims throughout the world finalized their plans to make the Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mecca, which is incumbent on the followers of the Islamic faith at least once in their lifetime. More than three million Muslims made the trip last year and for each of them the experience may differ, but the common thread is the understanding of humility and sincerity and the acceptance of the Will of their Creator.

Those desiring to make the Hajj must obtain a visa from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and this was easily attainable in past years. However, following September 11, the Saudi Government has taken certain measures to ensure that those making the trip are Muslims, and secondly, that they are devout followers of Islam and have no connection with others who are bent on creating problems for certain countries.

Traveling down the Nile in Egypt is calm and peaceful, yet exciting in some ways. The most exciting part is when you stop at some of the historical sites including Karnak and Luxor.

The next day I and other members of the group leave our hotel, The Sheraton, and fly to Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city and the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes. We transferr to the pier and embarked on our cruise ship, the M.S. Tulip, for a sumptuous lunch.

By Edwin Ali
 
Bridgetown, Barbados: Technological advance, globalization of travel and the tourism industry and the impact of the internet on tourism worldwide, dominated discussions at the 24th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference held in Barbados and attended by some 1,100 delegates from more than 30 countries.

Acting Prime Minister of Barbados, Billie Miller, set the tone for the discussions in her feature address when she told the delegates "it is imperative that we keep abreast of the rapid global changes that are now taking place. On the eve of the 21st century, the world is living in an era characterised by evolutionary developments in information technology, trade agreements which attempt to ensure that world trade is free and the horizontal, vertical and diagonal integration of global distribution systems."

This two-storied structure, with its Romanesque facade of arches and columns along an open hallway at the front of the building, presents an image of imperial majesty suited to its purpose. A part of it temporarily housed British Guiana’s first Governor, Sir Benjamin D’Urban. The solid fortresslike structure, with its east and west wings extending like outstretched arms well beyond its frontage, hugs a semi-circular driveway. The three arched entrances, held together by a square concrete elevation in the centre of it’s northern face, rise to a second floor balcony above, which is covered by a walled flat roof. Its grandiose facade, topped off by a centrally placed domed tower is classic 19th-century Renaissance architecture. With its silvery painted roof reflecting the sun’s rays, the tower resembles a jewelled ornament. It is said that the dome once housed British Guiana’s archival records.

Guyana is pushing ahead with a  monumental project that could have far reaching repercussions for the 83,000 square mile Republic on the North Eastern tip of South America.

Developing countries throughout the world especially those in the Caribbean and the West Indies are paying keener and keener attention to the creation of an eco-tourism and sustainable development base to satisfy a growing niche market that could pave the way for socio-economic growth and development for their respective population.