Spreading French riots worry tourism industry

Reuters reports:

Fear is growing among French restaurant owners and shopkeepers that violence in poor suburbs of Paris will damage France's image and keep foreigners away from the world's top travel destination.

The United States has warned citizens to avoid the rundown suburbs hit by unrest since Oct. 27. Calls for caution have also come from countries including Australia, Canada, Britain, Russia and the Netherlands.

"It's really worrying. The tourists will stay away," said John Diaz, polishing miniature models of the Eiffel Tower in his souvenir shop next to Notre Dame Cathedral.

"Lots of people have come in here and asked me whether it is safe to go to the Eiffel Tower. This is really hurting the city's image," said Diaz, who has run his shop for 14 years, but cannot remember such violent riots ever happening before.

The upside is rioting helps keep workers under the 35 hour cap.We know that's an important goal in socialist democracy.