Tourism: the impact of the Arab spring fades

After the events of spring Arab countries that have stirred strong tourism such as Tunisia and Egypt, it is time to first results. As part of the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Mediterranean world (IPEMED) led by Jean-Louis Guigou, the Mediterranean Travel Association (Meta) published assessments that it may take a little balm to the heart of tourism professionals present in this region.

"The attendance figures, down in the first eight months of from 40 to 50% from a year 2010 already bad, should be better in the second half of the year," said Stephen Pauchant, president of the Meta. According to his calculations, the outlook for 2011 should reflect a fall of 15% of international tourist arrivals (27.3 million) in the area between Morocco and Egypt.However, for the entire perimeter of the Mediterranean, Stephen Pauchant expects an increase of about 2.17%.

The sense of security is "acceptable"

The price reductions, promotional campaigns, the arrival of new customers came from Eastern Europe and Asia do not explain everything: the sense of security has improved in these countries bad credit payday advance. Probing of tourists, the institute noted that TravelSat indices had improved. "Now the feeling of security is considered" acceptable "," said Olivier Henry-Biabaud, president of TravelSat, the index is comparable to some European capitals during a short stay because the stress of city life can be important ".

The fact that in Tunisia, during the Arab spring, no hotels have been attacked, no tourist was concerned, adds to the perception of safety.Important source of foreign exchange, tourism is expected to return in the long term growth. "The tragedies of past attacks demonstrate that the concept of resilience is strongly rooted in these countries, says Maxime Weigert, expert on tourism in IPEMED. Not only tourists return after tragedies such as that of Luxor in 1997 (58 tourists killed), but the learning curve reaches the same level as if nothing had happened. "

ALSO READ:

Tax: light drinks are also included

The fans thought they were lights beverage spared the tax on soft drinks made by the Government in late August. Did not count on a UMP Amendment / New Centre approved in committee Wednesday as part of the review of the draft budget 2012. While the amount of tax on sugary soft drinks is on track to be doubled, MPs are now looking to expand the scope of this tax on soda beverages containing sweeteners.

The government, which did not include this option in the first place, now says not to exclude the idea. "It is the wishes of the parliament, we will discuss," said the spokesman of the government, Valérie Pécresse, on the set of Canal + on Thursday.

The stakes are high for the government because the sugar-free drinks, but with sweeteners that give a sweet taste, is increasingly consumed.Today, they account for 17% of the soft drinks market with strong brands like Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

No figures have yet been provided about the extra tax revenue that would generate this new amendment, if adopted in plenary session. The previous amendment adopted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, to double the amount of tax, also remains to be validated by all the members. By itself, it could generate a windfall estimated at 250 million euros a year, instead of 120 million euros initially planned. The rate of contribution on the sodas would be increased to 6.22 euros per hectolitre in 2012.Then he would be raised from the beginning of 2013, to January 1 of each year, at a rate equal to inflation (excluding tobacco) in the penultimate year.

Support the agricultural sector

As announced in the Figaro, the objective of this expansion drinks with sweeteners is to finance the lower cost of agricultural labor "to allow our farmers to sell their products at the same price as Germany and Spain" explains Valérie Pécresse. The government has in fact reduced in 2012 from 210 million payroll taxes on permanent farms. The tax will be reviewed and corrected to about half.

The industrial problems digesting the news. "We said from the beginning that it was normal to participate, provided that everyone involved in the fight against deficits.Simply, we do not want to be the adjustment variable of all the deficits that pass and on which we have not much to see, "said Jean-Rene Buisson, president of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania ). The doubling of the tax sodas would, he said, an estimated increase "between 0.2 and 0.3 cents" per can.

No problem for Michel Diefenbacher UMP (UMP): "These drinks, which are not basic necessities, benefit from the reduced VAT rate.They must be able to withstand the additional load generated by this new contribution, "says he in a sub-amendment.

But for now, nothing is yet definitively confirmed nor on the doubling of the tax, nor about its extension to drink with sweeteners.

End of aspartame in system U

The distribution group Système U has chosen to abandon the use of aspartame in soft drinks sold under any brand, starting in January. For the first time a manufacturer makes such a decision. This choice responds to the concerns of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the effects of this artificial sweetener.

Système U has already banned the use of parabens in cosmetics and Teflon in cookware. Its chairman Serge Papin, expresses his desire to "become a leader in healthy products."

ALSO READ:

"The tax on soft drinks industry reacted

"GAME NEWS – Target budget: Drive the finances of the state

"INTERVIEW -" A day of natural fruit is as sweet as a soda "

Aid to Greece, the euro suspended Slovak vote

After the vote of the Maltese Parliament – which unanimously passed in the night from Monday to Tuesday the agreement of 21 July on aid to Greece – Europe now has their eyes on Slovakia. The Slovak Parliament began its deliberations this morning which should lead to a vote in the early afternoon. The uncertainty is very high on the outcome of the election: the Freedom and Solidarity Party (SaS) member of the ruling coalition threatened to vote against, in fact, which would switch the winning side of the "no" with to Greece.

In the early morning, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova recognized that there was still no agreement in favor of a positive vote. The government could be forced to get a favorable vote, to offer in exchange for the organization of early elections.That is to scuttle.

Slovakia is the last state to ratify the agreement of 21 July, which must be adopted unanimously by the seventeen member countries of the euro area to take effect. If the vote is negative, in a few hours, the shock could be severe in the financial markets. Sole ground of hope, the Slovak parliamentary system allows in case of negative vote of Parliament to seek a second, which may occur on weekends and offer a last chance for negotiations.

ALSO READ:

"SPECIAL – Crisis: the fear of debt

"Recruitment is a balance of power"

Lefigaro.fr – The Mouth of Employment, Dominique Cros documentary, highlights humiliating recruitment practices. Is this common?

Geraldine Rieucau – No, of course. Recruiters are not disrespectful majority of candidates. Otherwise, they failed to provide proper offers. As everywhere, there are good and bad recruiters. But even if we should not generalize, this documentary is still evidence of practices that exist: infantilization of candidates, the will to destabilize the discrimination of certain profile, a contempt for the job seeker is attitudes that we observe, more and more.

Why?

There is always a balance of power between the recruiter and the candidate. The nature of recruitment created an inequality between the two parties. But several factors have increased the imbalance.The economic crisis first, which has intensified competition among candidates, and allows the recruiter to demand more from them.

And then for various reasons, recruiters are placing more and more importance to the personality of the candidates, so that this criterion sometimes takes precedence over qualifications and skills. And the grounds to see how a candidate is resistant to pressure, some were quick to destabilize or to make uncomfortable.

Consequence of these two factors, the motivation of the applicant has become an essential criterion payday advance low fees. But behind this concept, what the recruiter wants to know is whether it will be often enough finally available and ready to work overtime, etc..

Recruitment firms are more they implement these bad practices?

No, I do not think so. An employer, an HR department is just as likely to skid.But it is true that firms, whose service is costly, are often called upon to fill management positions in CDI. The recruiter will then spend more tests, more pre-select candidates … But be aware that less than 3% of hires are made via a recruitment agency. Conversely, 40% are the result of an unsolicited application.

The discourse on the fight against discrimination mean in reality?

For 10 years, recruiters are clearly more careful not to discriminate on criteria visible. But there are forms of indirect discrimination that persist and are very difficult to control. When an employer requires its future employee lives near his work, for example.

Overall, large firms have more ways to avoid discrimination.This often led to further standardize recruitment, to centralize procedures. The human resources sector has benefited: the U.S. example, the size of the sector and the influence of RH increased sharply with the policies of "Equal Opportunities".

When China discovered the cultural sponsorship

The Louvre is just a trial balloon. Haier, the giant Chinese electronics and appliances, a partner in the last Asian Film Festival in Deauville, is found now official sponsor of the exhibition "The Forbidden City in the Louvre," while the group Fosun, active in the steel industry, mining, property development, distribution and services, financed the catalog.

"This is the first time that we sponsor an event abroad. Traditionally Chinese companies involved in the financing of aid to natural disasters, earthquakes or floods. They argue that very few art events. But we made several acquisitions in Europe and you want to get closer, "says Jane Zhang, director of brand and strategy Fosun.

This, indeed, holds 9.5% of Club Mediterranean.It has also invested in a chain of jewelry and fashion accessories in Greece. Haier, meanwhile, set up last year, the seat of his European office in Paris. For one as for the other, cultural patronage that they are discovering can be a powerful tool to better integrate. But the payments remain a state secret.

Open the Forbidden City

As many as 350,000 Chinese visited the Louvre last year. The country is now the fifth largest foreign tourists to the museum, behind the United States, Brazil, Italy and Russia. So Wan Jie, head of Artron, specializing in printing, which was not 50 years, is very interested in the Young Patrons Circle of the Louvre.All they need to pay 2,000 euros per year if they are under 40 years beyond 5000 to be included, says Christophe Monin, head of development and sponsorship of the museum overnight pay day loans.

"The demand from wealthy individual to the corporate philanthropy is very strong in Asia, but their goal is to first do something for their country," says Nathalie Sauvanet, BNP Paribas. In its own way, Chen Dongsheng, president of Taikang Life Insurance, is a pioneer in China. He is a founding member of the China Social Entrepreneur Foundation and one of the best friends of the owner of Fosun, Guo Guangchang. He believes that "companies need to focus on modern culture."

It is also believed that Wang Yamin, deputy director of the Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It does not hide it, the Louvre gives him ideas. The palace is full of treasures that can not hardly watch the public.They are crammed into the reserves of the City. If he succeeded in attracting Chinese businesses, it could more easily escape by appealing to the state. The tourists would stay longer when on the site. "The Forbidden City needs to develop cooperation with private companies," he pleads.

Christophe Monin, for whom "patronage is essential today," just waiting to help. But in the meantime, the Louvre would like to create a Chinese version of its multimedia guide … he hopes to be financed by entrepreneurs from the Middle Kingdom.

The technology is expected to star on Wall Street

Anticipate a future opening up slightly from the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Wall Street and should build on the previous day, still driven by hopes of a coordinated European bank recapitalization.

After weeks of dithering, European leaders have taken in hand to avoid a collapse of the banking sector, weakened by the debt crisis, which brought down the French-Belgian group Dexia. The markets were also reassured by the publication of macroeconomic indicators in the U.S. exceeded expectations: job creation in the private sector and the ISM services.

Caution before the employment figures

Investors in Europe and the United States should however be cautious before several major macroeconomic deadlines.On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday to maintain its 1.50% interest rate, reference the cost of credit in the euro zone, despite the sharp deterioration in the economic and financial crisis.

Investor caution should also be strengthened by the expectation of official figures of employment for the month of September in the United States to be published Friday. Meanwhile, new jobless claims are slightly lift the United States during the last week of September, according to figures released Thursday by the Washington Department of Labor.The Ministry has identified the deposit of 401,000 applications for unemployment benefits in the country from September 25 to October 1, adjusted for seasonal variations, or 1.5% over the previous week, which is consistent with the estimate of analysts.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro reached 1.3331 dollars. A barrel of crude is trading at 102.38 dollars for Brent North Sea and 79.50 dollars for U.S. crude.The ounce of gold is trading in 1644 dollars.

Investors will have their eyes on Apple and Yahoo

As for values, investors will have their eyes on the technology sector.

• Apple should be particularly observed after the announcement of the demise of the group's founder Steve Jobs.

• Yahoo is the subject of new rumors of a possible bid from U.S. computer giant Microsoft, which had tried to capture in 2008 of U.S. internet group.

• Hewlett-Packard should not make further major acquisitions in the software after the acquisition of Autonomy, according to statement from the group's new boss Meg Whitman, quoted by Reuters.

• Boeing received an order for $ 1.1 billion from Ethiopian Airlines for four Boeing 777 freighters.

• Gilead Sciences has granted a license agreement Boehringer Ingelheim for the exclusive rights to research, development and commercialization of an anti-integrase for the treatment of HIV.

• Marriott International has released the third quarter, earnings per share of $ 0.29, up 32% year on year. Turnover was 2.9 billion dollars against 2.6 billion last year. The revenue per available room key indicator in the hotel sector grew by 8.7% on a comparable basis, while prices rose by 5.3%.

Also note Peabody Energy and ArcelorMittal will extend their bid for Macarthur Coal until October 28.

Nestlé invents advertising with soundtrack reserved for dogs

How to make a hitch to his dog kibble? Appeal to teachers, as do the manufacturers for ages in their advertisements, not enough. It is also pet the pooches in the grain. Nestle, the world leader in animal nutrition with Purina (Friskies, Fido, Felix …), is launching this week at the Austrian television advertising directed at the first of the canine race! A 23-second spot that touts its brand Beneful. The brand hopes to honor "the unique relationship between dogs and their masters."

The matter was taken very seriously by Nestlé. The group uses its team of specialists in animal behavior, based in Missouri quick pay day loan. They have identified the sounds that dogs, whose hearing is two times finer than that of humans, are particularly susceptible.Beneful spot, which features a dog bowl in front of her and his mistress, and has a grinding noise similar to that of a dog toy, a barely audible hiss of humans and a fairly high-pitched signal. Dogs are supposed to react differently to advertising based on their "individual experience" and the games they are used with their master, provides Nestlé. Last year, Nestlé Purina was pioneered in Germany with scented billboards that opened the appetite of dogs for a walk.

Wall Street at their lowest since September 2010

The New York Stock Exchange began the week as badly as he had finished the previous one. The debt crisis in Europe and the United States and the gloomy outlook for global growth still hovering in the markets. At the close, Wall Street lost 2.37% to 10,655.30 points, the Nasdaq 3.29% to 2335.83 loose points and the S & P 500 drops 2.85% to 1099.23 points. Friday, Wall Street had already been a difficult session.

On the macroeconomic front, the ISM manufacturing index in the United States has, however, unexpectedly increased to 51.6% in September (the consensus of analysts expected 50.5%) and construction spending rebounded in the month of August 1.4% (against 0.5% expected).These publications serve to mitigate the concerns about U.S. growth occurred even as the markets again questioned the ability of Greece to meet its budgetary commitments.

But the crisis of public finances continues to produce its harmful effects on the markets. Bad news yesterday in Europe, where Greece has announced that it would lack its budget deficit targets. The second Country Assistance Plan will be the focus of several summit meetings this week: Monday, finance ministers of the euro area were meeting in Luxembourg hours from 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, those of the entire European Union.This will then be the turn of the Franco-German debate the future of Greece and "ways and means to accelerate economic integration in the euro area".

A new week promises to be tense on Wall Street, where investors are worried more about a possible erosion of corporate earnings, without the support of foreign demand. Past two years, export sales have averaged 30% of the turnover of listed companies in the S & P 500, allowing the results of many of them to exceed the expectations of analysts. In addition, many U.S. multinationals have benefited in recent months the relative weakness of the dollar to support exports.But the euro shows a quarterly decline of more than 7% against the greenback, depriving companies of the damper.

The U.S. ISM better than expected

Most analysts have already lowered their expectations of results. According to Thomson Reuters data, earnings for the third quarter are expected up 13.3% over the same period of 2010, against an expected increase to 17% in early July.

On the macroeconomic front, the manufacturing sector has grown stronger than expected in September in the United States, according to the purchasing managers' index released Monday. This index, calculated by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), stood at 51.6 against 50.6 last month in August and 50.5 expected.

Construction spending rebounded against all odds in August after falling in July, according to official figures released Monday by the Commerce Department.They rose 1.4% year on year to stand at 799.15 billion dollars, while analysts expected a decline of 0.3% following a decline (revised) 1.4% the previous month.

Oil continues to fall and the dollar to strengthen

Oil prices have closed lower in New York lundisoir in the wake of the stock markets, despite the encouraging figures on manufacturing and sales of automobiles in the United States. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November lost $ 1.59 from Friday's close, and accounted for 77.61 dollars.

On the currency markets, the dollar continued its rise against the euro, the euro falling by 1.46% to 1.3192 dollar.

Also note, the protest movement against the excesses of Wall Street gains momentum.The New York police said on Sunday that most of the more than 700 demonstrators arrested Saturday as they marched down the Brooklyn Bridge to protest against the excesses and other finance had been released. Further rallies are planned.

Yahoo! Alibaba in the crosshairs

Alibaba China Internet group would be "interested" in acquiring a large U.S. shareholder Yahoo! (2.73% to 13.53 dollars) and has been approached by private equity firms interested in mounting such an operation, said on Monday the Wall Street Journal. Yahoo! is the main shareholder in Alibaba, with 40.5% of its capital, but relations between the two companies are very tense for months.Alibaba has in the past tried to buy this participation, but the direction of Yahoo! there is still refused, partly because of the importance of the contribution for its own market capitalization. The group, which has dismissed its CEO, Carol Bartz, is valued around $ 17 billion in stock. Alibaba is not listed but the whole group is valued around $ 30 billion.

Intel (-3.35% to 20.62 dollars) will acquire Telmap, an Israeli company that designs software for mobile browsing. Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but Israeli media reported that the semiconductor giant would pay between 300 and 350 million dollars (224 euros 261 million).Telmap will become a 100% subsidiary of Intel, retaining its brand, its management and 210 employees.

For its part, Citigroup (-9.78% to 23.11 dollars) would be subject to an investigation by Japanese authorities for lack of information on financial products, according to Reuters. The Japanese Financial Services Agency seeks in particular to know if Citi did not breach disclosure requirements. It also attempts to determine whether the bank is not involved in laundering operations.

Also note, WellPoint (-4.53% to 62.32 dollars) has increased its budget share repurchases of $ 5 billion more.

The euro area ordered to do something about the crisis

The crisis in the euro area would feel it more outside the monetary union in its midst? In any case, Washington, Beijing or London that seem to come now calls the most vibrant in the action. The most brutal too, sometimes. "I see the European leaders roll up their sleeves," was exclaimed and Sunday on the BBC, the British prime minister. "The eurozone is a threat to itself, but also a threat to the UK economy and a threat to the global economy."

David Cameron is well echo the words of Barack Obama, who had created great excitement in the European ruling class last weekend.Europeans "through a financial crisis that frightens the world," declared U.S. President who is critical of the inertia of the Old Continent: "They never really occupied the challenges facing their banks," he explained.

Sarkozy-Merkel meeting

Both critics respond course to domestic policy concerns. Faced also with a very fragile economy, David Cameron and Barack Obama have a field day to continental Europe as a scapegoat. Still, they express anxiety was widely distributed across the planet. Meetings of the IMF and the G20 a week ago in Washington were the sounding world. "Europe is at a critical moment in its history.(…) If the decision comes too late, some members of the euro area will leave, "commented Saturday the People's Daily in China, setting the tone of urgency that the entire planet seems to inspire European leaders.

In the economic sphere too, the difficulties of the euro area crystallize the fears. What happened to Friday on Wall Street the big U no fax cash advance.S. bank Morgan Stanley is a striking illustration. Its action was unscrewed from 10.5% in a session on rumors of "exposure" to European banks.An "unofficial source" had to say that Morgan Stanley was exposed either to France or to its banks, the same tone that he employed was not so long on the market to talk about the subprime and other toxic assets! Also appear as irrational and epidermal such reactions, they show how much confidence moved against investment in the euro area.

It is therefore under considerable pressure that EU leaders will engage in an October "marathon". The meetings of finance ministers from the eurozone and the European Union on Monday and Tuesday should not be decisive. The meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel planned-probably 9 – will be much more. The Franco-German partnership will give "the" strategy of the euro area, for the top 17 and 18.With three main points on the menu: the treatment of Greek case, the strengthening of capacity of the European Financial Stability Fund, and the terms of consolidation of the banking sector. Part of this last chapter, however, also be written by the European Central Bank, possibly as early as its meeting on October 6. Indeed we expect the ECB to provide more oxygen to the banks as loans at least one year. Europe, she was again meeting with the rest of the world, November 3, G20 Cannes.

ALSO READ:

"Greece: Papandreou receives Sarkozy

"SPECIAL – Depression, fear of debt

Wall Street closed on a note of tentative

Having fallen heavily on Wednesday, the Dow -1.52% to close at 11,010.90 points, Wall Street has ended without a clear direction a very volatile session on Thursday. The Dow Jones gained 1.30% to 11,153.98 points and the S & P 500 has been 0.81% to 1160.40 points. In contrast, the Nasdaq lost 0.76% to 2480.76 points.

U.S. investors have not received so favorably that the approval on Thursday afternoon of the German parliament to extend the relief fund of the euro area (EFSF).

U.S.: GDP growth rate revised upwards

On the macroeconomic front, the growth rate of GDP of the United States has been officially revised up Thursday, slightly more than analysts thought.Second-quarter U.S. gross domestic product grew 1.3% annualized compared to the previous three months, said the Commerce Department, revising and up 0.3 point its growth estimate released in late August .

On a seasonally adjusted, new jobless claims in the U.S. totaled 391,000 in the week of 18 to 24 September, against 428,000 the previous week.

Real estate side, the promise of sale of existing homes fell in August from 1.2% to 88.6, its lowest level since April. Economists polled by Reuters were expecting a sharper decline at -1.8%.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro rose to 1.3593 displayed dollar (0.50%).A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November gained 93 cents to 82.14 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange where he had opened up more than two dollars.

Values ​​follow:

• LyondellBasell (-4.03% to 26.65 dollars)

French employees of the American specialist petrochemical voted on Thursday extended for 24 hours of their strike and blockade on all Group units in Berre (Bouches-du-Rhône), due to the closure of the refinery . Meeting in mid-day general meeting, they voted the renewal of the movement by a large majority.

• Advanced Micro Devices (-13.66% to 5.31 dollars)

The U.S. manufacturer of microprocessors said Wednesday it lowered its forecast for revenue and gross margin for the third quarter, partly because of production problems at a plant in Germany unsecured personal loans.The group now expects its revenue for the quarter ended October 1, increase by 4 to 6% over the second quarter against a previous forecast of 8 to 12%.

• Amazon (-3.16% to 222.44 dollars)

Internet group Amazon introduced its first multimedia tablet Wednesday, the Fire Kindle, sold half as much as the market leader, Apple's iPad, which promises to be a credible competitor. Sold $ 199 (against at least 499 dollars for an iPad) as of November 15, exclusively in the United States as a first step, the Kindle Fire is part of the range of reading lights Amazon Kindle has been declining for four years.

• Hewlett-Packard (2.54% to 23.78 dollars)

The U.S. computer group used the services of investment bank Goldman Sachs to help it defend itself against a possible hostile bid, said Wednesday the Wall Street Journal.Weakened by the collapse of its share price and the recent upheaval at the helm, the group was concerned that one or more shareholders trying to take control, the newspaper business, citing people familiar with the matter.

• Nokia (3.96 to 5.77 dollars)

The world of mobile phones said Thursday it plans to eliminate 3,500 jobs in Romania, Germany and the United States by the end of next year."Nokia plans to close its operations in Cluj, Romania, by the end of 2011 (…) and plans to close (its offices and commercial activities) in Bonn, Germany and Malvern, United States," by the end of next year, the company said in a statement.

• Ford (0.70% to $ 10)

The automaker plans to hire 7,000 people within two years the United States, ruling that the U.S. economy do not wipe recession.

• General Motors (1.71% to 20.76 dollars)

The group said Thursday that the new contract four-year agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) would have a financial impact "minimal".