The end for Uyuni?

Bolivia’s fabulously photogenic Uyuni salt flats are set to lose their dazzling charm after the Bolivian government announced plans for a “large-scale lithium industry” at the famed tourist attraction. The salt flats are thought to hold the world’s largest reserves of lithium chloride, the key ingredient in the rechargeable batteries used in laptops, cameras and iPods.

Pukka Tuk-tuks

A fleet of brand-new tourist-friendly tuk-tuks has taken to the streets of the Sri Lankan capital, following complaints from tourists that they were being overcharged, abused and subjected to reckless driving by Colombo’s private operators. The new vehicles are officially registered, with taxi meters and drivers rumoured to have a clue where they’re going.

30 perspective photos from the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia

• Smugshot special: perspectives from the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia

The shape of fins to come

Australian tour operators say a soon-to-be-released feature film about killer sharks on the Great Barrier Reef will have a devastating effect on tourism, despite claims from the film’s producer that it will attract visitors to the area. The Reef tells the true story of four friends who are terrorised by man-eating great white sharks after their boat capsizes on the reef. “Any kind of shark attack, or what they air in the Jaws movies and things like that, there’s a drop-off in inquiries within the marine tourism industry,” said Col McKenzie, an executive director of the Association of Marine Park Operators.

Do you know the way to San Jose?

Thomson and First Choice have announced they will operate packages to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica for the first time from next winter. The destination will be served by weekly Thomsonfly flights from Gatwick, with packages starting at £979pp for a week. Flights start November 10, 2010.

Meet Ed

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine’s editor, Ed Grenby, will answer questions on the future of travel at this week’s World Travel Market, at London’s ExCel centre. The Q&A, taking place at 3pm on Tuesday, is one of scores of events scheduled for this year’s fair, which runs from tomorrow to Thursday.

For details, visit wtmlondon.com.

Times recommends

• Oasis of the Seas: the Times review
• The 20 best new year party places to stay
• Green Spaces 2009: are you the winning writer?