The Bug's Life
Volkswagen was scheduled to put Americans' favorite insectmobile on the market in France January 7. This latest incarnation was called "thirsty" by French News, requiring 12 liters of gas to drive 100 kilometers. In American terms, 3.12 gallons will get you just 62 city miles, or just under 20 miles per gallon. Even in America, that does seem thirsty for a car that was known for its economy as well as its cute points. Makes you wonder if its 131,400F (around $21,000 US and who knows how many Euros) price tag will have 1999's 8,000-Beetle invasion selling out or going "splat."
World Cup '99?
Three million more visitors made the sojourn to France in 1998 than in 1997. The World Cup host gained many of its new tourists from both Latin America and former Soviet Union countries. In fact, even Disney is finally turning around its generally dissed Eurodisney, thanks to 3 percent greater per-visitor spending and higher occupancy rates at hotels and its nearby commercial developments. But what's France going to do this year without Zidane and Barthez?
France and The Euro
France is currently in a period of economic recovery, carefully battling high unemployment rates with social policies like the 35-hour work week. All the more reason France will be carefully watching both euro rates and the interest rates based on them. Recent polls indicate the French welcome the single-currency plan but fear prices will rise. Despite the dire predictions of some economy-watchers, there has been no disaster, yet, as a result of the changeover, which is being phased in over three years.
The Euro was estimated to be set in franc terms around 6.6, which means one euro equals (give or take the last four decimal points) 6.6 francs. Last summer, Americans were getting similar exchange rates of 6 francs per dollar, so shops posting prices in euros and francs will help math-challenged American tourists this year. Euro currency doesn't go into circulation until 2002, but it's possible to process credit card transactions in euros.
Y-deux-K
Information on the Net is spotty when it comes to France's dealings with the Y2K problem. This may be in part because only 6 percent of the country has internet access right now. What we do know is that France is expecting difficulties that may cost up to 100 billion francs. That figure was cited by France's finance minister, and it was suggested that the figure was overestimated to startle businesses into arranging for compliance.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Robin W.'s French Tourism topic, please visit the Discussions page.