Tourists 'safe' in Paris
08/11/2005 15:24  - (SA)  

French govt hits back Rioters take to the streets Riots: Mayor declares curfew Timeline of French riots Riots spread to 300 towns French violence claims first victim Unrest reaches heart of Paris Over 500 cars torched in Paris

Paris - Tourists visiting Paris are not at risk from the violence taking place outside the city and elsewhere in France, the capital's city hall said on Tuesday amid concern by foreign governments for their citizens in the country.

The city's officials said in a statement that "the safety of tourists is not threatened," and added that the government was "ensuring the security of property and people at the tourist sites and in the Parisian neighbourhoods."

Despite travel advisories by a dozen countries, "there has been no decline in tourist numbers so far," the statement said, urging the French tourism and foreign ministries to reassure visitors.

France is the world's top tourist destination, attracting 75 million foreigners a year, half of whom see the sights of Paris.

But in recent days warnings have surged, with governments around the world telling visitors to use extreme caution when travelling through riot-hit areas.

Australia, Britain, Germany, Japan and the United States are among the governments to have issued advisories.

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