More Tourists Visiting Gibraltar

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 16

More Tourists Visiting Gibraltar

(From a Reuter Correspondent)

GIBRALTAR. Gibraltar, 252-year-old British stronghold and gateway to the Mediterranean, is rushing the completion of two new modern hotels to meet demands of an ever increasing influx of tourists. , > In spite of Spain’s determination, since Queen Elizabeth II came there in May 1954. to isolate Gibraltar, the Rock continues to flourish. Cold war tactics, which opened with the closing of the Spanish Consulate-General in Gibraltar and culminated in a ban on Spaniards visiting Gibraltar and the imposition of all kinds of inconveniences on Britons wishing to enter Spain from the isthmus, have had little effect, even upon its popularity. Representative bodies working in conjunction with Governor and Commander-in-Chief. LieutenantGeneral Sir Harold Redman, have joined forces to foster and promote local trade, attract tourists and make this fortress colony as independent as posible.

Its mild and pleasing climate together with abundant sunshine throughout the year, with its spacious and protected harbour, its drydocking facilities, its airfield, and the safe anchorage which it offers for the biggest liners in the world, make it a natural rendezvous for people of many nationalities.

The British Home and Mediterranean Fleets, as well as units of the United States 6th Fleet and other foreign navies, make Gibraltar their favourite port of call during the spring and winter seasons. Gibraltar is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation base.

The decision recently announced by the American Export Lines to transfer the regular calls of their liners “Constitution” and “Independence” from Gibraltar to the Spanish port of Algeciras on the opposite side of the bay, has been badly received by the commercial and trade activities of the colony who . always looked upon America as their friend.

However, there are up to 30 liners calling there each month on their way to and from Britain, the United States and French and Italian ports. Improvements are shortly to be made in the service given to all travellers upon their arrival at the port, and the quick handling of their luggage. More practical arrangements to make visits easier to the famous Galleries. Fortifications and Upper Rock areas, the Caves and Tunnels, and other places of interest, are being expedited. More thought is being given, too. not only to the traveller’s comforts but to giving him a sense of security against exorbitant charges by porters, hawkers, taxi-drivers and so on. Even his dog or other pets have not been forgotten, and special arrangements are being made to meet quarantine requirements. Local hotels have now come into line and are offering people wishing to stay only one or two nights “room only” terms, if they want them, at reasonable prices. Foreign ports are accessible from Gibraltar within minimum time. There are daily air services to and from London and Madrid. A fast, luxurious motor vessel, the “Mons Calpe,” now plies twice daily in summer and once in winter, between Gibraltar and Tangier, and cars can be driven on and off the boat al both ports. Need for Visas Persons entering Gibraltar must be in possession of a valid passport, and visas are required by aliens except in the case of passengers staying in the colony only for up to 72 hours. Travellers may bring into or take out of Gibraltar a maximum of £lO. inclusive of any British bank notes in their possession. There are no restrictions on the amount in foreign currency notes a person in bona-fide transit through Gibraltar, may have with him, provided that the amount is entered on his passport on arrival. Since Gibraltar is in the sterling area, there is no difficulty in making transfers or carrying on any banking transaction between banks here and in Britain. Gibraltar has large, sandy beaches, where tents can be pitched for the summer months, and there are several football and cricket grounds. a gymnasium and many sporting clubs. The Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club holds a racing season from May to October, while the Gibraltar Golf Club runs competitions in its nine-hole course at Campamento, in Spain, some four miles away. There are many lawn tennis courts here and rowing, swimming and water polo competitions are held throughout the season.

Other sights and places of interest which can be visited freely include: the Moorish Castle, an ancient relic of Moorish occupation; the Ceremony of Keys, depicting the traditional closing of the Frontier Gates: the Gibraltar Museum arid Moorish Baths; the Alameda Gardens; Catalan Bay. the old fishing village on the northern side of the Rock; the Convent, official residence of the Governor of the Fortress; the Trafalgar Cemetery, where most of those who succumbed in that famous battle fought near Gibraltar are buried: the City Council Waterworks, reserviors and catchments, hewn out of the Rock and

holding 15.000.000 gallons of rain water which supplies most of the town needs. Visits to Rock Apes Last, but not least, there are visits to the famous Rock Apes situated on the upper part of the Rock. The Rock Apes have been associated with Gibraltar ever since its occupation by the British. They are of the Barbary species and have no tails and it has always been a matter of discussion how they first came to Gibraltar. Legend has it that it is unlucky to visit Gibraltar without going to see the Apes. Another says that when the Apes leave the Rock, the British will also quit. Gibraltar has a number of night, clubs which are open daily until 2 a.m. and feature French, Hungarian and Spanish artists and orchestras, while the Society for Musical Culture holds regular concerts with well-known artists. The Calpe Institute, a British Council Centre, organises weekly groups to study photography, hold debates, brain trusts, lectures and engage in other educational pursuits with a view to fostering culture. Their sessions are well patronised and popular. All are welcome and no charge is made. Hundreds of well-stocked shops. Oriental bazaars and other establishments with an abundant variety of goods, flourish there.