That's The Badger

Travellers and tourists beware this year as the EU prepares to embark upon a massive raft of cuts and austerity drives, ushering in a possible ‘summer of discontent’ and causing travel chaos across the continent. To get to grips with EU’s massive financial crisis, individual countries are facing a series of massive spending cuts which will ultimately hit the public sector and services hard. Public sector strikes will inevitably follow such large reductions in department budgets, causing anarchy and trouble for millions of tourists and businesses throughout Europe.

The only silver lining of such measures will be felt within the private sector; individual transport and car hire firms may well receive a boost in business in the coming months due to rail and air strikes, but all in all it’s going to be a bumpy ride for anyone embarking upon a summer holiday this year. Already car rental firms are seeing a significant boost in sales due to proposed rail strikes in Greece, Italy and Spain. In the past few months rentals have also increased due to a number of cabin crew and air traffic control strikes across the continent.

Unfortunately, it looks like these occurrences will become more common as Europe’s austerity drive gets into full swing. In Spain, Madrid Metro workers have just finished a four day strike that caused chaos and gridlock for the nation’s capital. In Greece public outcry continues to grow apace, a number of rail strikes have already occurred and more are likely to follow. In Italy, ferries and airport workers are also due to go on strike as of today. All we need now is for the French to blockade Calais and the UK will be well and truly in trouble…

The sheer scope of the disruption is almost indescribable. Economists estimate that the loss to tourism could cost the continent billions. If you are intending on travelling on public transport this summer then be prepared to arrange alternative transportation arrangements, due to the strikes. Making new arrangements can also be problematic; car hire in Spain often sells out quickly due to the demand, holidaymakers are advised to keep up to date with the latest news and to book early if possible to avoid delays.

As a native of this great land I often forget how popular it is as a tourist destination. The recent financial crisis has had a pretty damaging effect on our economy, but one small silver lining has been an increase in tourism, due to the weakness of the pound compared to other currencies. Despite all the travel shenanigans caused by errant volcanoes and cabin crew strikes, millions of Johny foreigners are still taking flights to the UK and spending a few weeks strolling around our green and pleasant lands during Britain’s hottest summer since time immemorial.

Part of Britain’s touristic charm is its heritage, its numerous historical locations and its quaintness. There are thousands of such spots scattered up and down the country, from the Lake District to the coasts of Cornwall. But of course a visit to the UK wouldn’t be complete without a trip to old Londinium. It may not be the cleanest, or the prettiest of cities, but every nook and cranny is filled with life, culture and historical significance.

Travellers to our great capital are probably not given the best first impression of the city, as most flights to London land in the concrete shiny hellholes of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead, but do not be disheartened because there is a lot more to London than meets the eye; here are three locations you really should take the time to visit.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Built in 1599 at the height of the Elizabethan Golden Age, the Globe Theatre is a must see for any visiting tourist. The theatre is of course associated with William Shakespeare, perhaps the world’s greatest playwright, and during its short lived history the theatre became a focal point for entertainment in London. The theatre burnt down and was even dismantled before it was finally closed and pulled down by Puritans in 1644. The renamed ‘Shakespeare’s Globe’ was reopened in 1996 after being faithfully reconstructed using historical and archaeological data. Plays are held regularly during the month of May-October and during the remainder of the year the building is used for educational purposes.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Established in 1759 by Lord Capel John of Tewkesbury, Kew Gardens has overtime expanded from a simple exotic garden to a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the world’s largest collection of living plants. Over 650 scientists are now resident at Kew conducting research and looking after 30,000 different types of flora. The herbarium at Kew contains over 7 million preserved plant specimens and the expansive library contains more than 750,000 volumes, including 175,000 illustrated prints and drawings. As well as the beautiful gardens you will also find a selection of museums, contemporary features and unique historical buildings such as the Great Pagoda and the Palm House, the largest surviving Victorian greenhouse.

The British Museum

The British Museum is clearly one of the greatest museums and that’s not just because it’s free! The museum was established in 1753 in Montagu House on the site of the current museum. In 1825 Sir Robert Smirke began constructing the museums now famous and easily recognisable neo-classical building. Over time the museum became home to some of the world’s most remarkable historical treasure, some pieces, like the Elgin Marbles, are now the subject of intense controversy due to the way that they were acquired. Aside from the various ownership disputes, the British Museum contains some of the world’s largest collections of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Mesopotamian antiquities outside of their respective countries. Some of the most important artefacts hosted by the museum include the Cyrus Cylinder, the Lewis Chessmen, the Sutton Hoo horde, the Rosetta Stone and the Portland Vase.

This week the world has its’ eyes fixed firmly on a series of 90 minute events, unfolding on a grass pitch somewhere out in South Africa. Yes, indeed like a leap year the World Cup occurs only once every four years, and for many of us it is the single, most important tournament in the galaxy. Next week while the country sits at home imploring Fabio and his boys to go out and dismantle Slovenia, the government will be struggling hip-deep in political fallout as George ‘the boy’ Osborne takes to the stand and unveils the Lib-Con coalitions first budget to parliament.

While the rest of the world concentrates on the football, financial investment firms, bankers, politicians and media hacks will be focusing on one thing, and one thing only, namely Westminster. Anything the chancellor or a senior Downing Street official says regarding the financial sector will be closely monitored and scrutinised during the run-up to the budget.

Over the last month the coalition government has been on a media offensive, hoping to engender support amongst the electorate for the ‘savage’ series of cuts due to be announced during this parliament. One of the coalition promises was to enact a major restructuring of the financial sector, including the possibility of a separation between high street branches, business banking and the more risky venture capitalists.

A recent report commissioned by the consumer group Which and chaired by the former shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, argued in favour of a break up between investment and retail banks. Although the chancellor has been somewhat reluctant on this issue, it now looks like the notion of splitting up the banks may well become a reality. The main argument for going ahead with this is to protect current account holders and the safer, more traditional aspects of banking, from the riskier investment sectors of the financial industry which are prone to gamble upon stocks and derivatives.

As part of the new reforms George Osborne today announced that Bank of England would repatriate powers from the FSA and would be given more authority to help regulate the financial sector. Mr Osborne is keen to ensure that the country will not endure another unsustainable housing market boom. Another key part of the reforms will be a new bank levy which intends to reimburse taxpayers for the huge costs outlaid during the financial crisis. Undoubtedly the closer we get to the budget the more we will hear from Downing Street, more to follow…