ICA Postpones Tanzania Mine Tour
June 08, 03
The ICA gem mine tour of Tanzania, which had been scheduled to take place from June 26 through July 4, has been postponed, with no new date set for the tour. Joseph M. Menzie, president of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), announced the decision.
ICA president cited security concerns including the threat of a “new wave of international terrorism, in conjunction with increased terrorist activity in areas heretofore untouched”. However, plans for ICA's two other gem mine tours in Brazil and Sri Lanka are proceeding as planned.
Menzie said that ICA was “very hopeful that current tensions will ease and that the strong peace initiatives underway will result in a cessation of hostile action around the world.” The Tanzanian gem mine tour has tentatively been rescheduled for the fall, in the fall and new dates will be announced as soon as they are available.
ICA's gem mine tours have are being promoted to enhance the public's interest in colored gemstones.
“Adventure-type trips, which take people off the beaten track, are extremely popular these days,” Menzie explained. "And trips that combine far-off, exotic locations with the romance of colored gemstones are certain to strike a chord with travelers.”