TOURISM chiefs in all the countries affected by the Tsunami have been issuing advice to travellers, often re-directing them to different areas of
a particular country away from the worst hit areas.
And locally, the travel industry has been urging customers not to choose other destinations - but to stay loyal to the affected countries and if
necessary opt for a different region of that country. "Here in Phuket the impression from the media is that nothing is left, but
in reality we have three hotels, two of which were virtually untouched. They are now operating as normal with paying visitors. None of our guests or
staff were lost or injured."
ABTA tour operators have been very understanding of the situation of the
traveller who was about to travel to the region in the days and weeks
following the Tsumani, according to Doreen McKenzie, with most agreeing to
offer clients alternative destinations.

With the Tsunami falling into the "act of God" category, operators were not
legally obliged to be so understanding.

However, in many cases, travellers who put together their own packages by
internet booking were not so lucky - sometimes losing their money or not
being able to obtain a replacement holiday.

Some ABTA tour operators were re-commencing operations to the Maldives as
early as January 2, and programmnes to the affected coastal resorts of Sri
Lanka and Thailand were only being resumed after January 7 where it had been
assessed as safe to operate. Most operators were offering alternative
destinations or a refund for clients not wishing to travel up to January 31.

For more details see www.abtamembers.org/earthquake

Said Doreen McKenzie: "We would ask travellers to stay loyal to the
countries affected by the disaster.

"In the weeks ahead the revenue from tourism will be vitally important to
rebuild communities and local economies. If necessary, we are recommending
switching to another region in the same country."

Two of the three Kata Resorts run by Elizabeth and Eam Thavornwongwongse
suffered only minimal damage in the disaster and are operating normally. The
third, the Karon Beach Resort, sustained flood damage to 24 ground floor
rooms, but will be fully operational in two months time.

The Kata Beach Resort sustained just minimal damage except for eight rooms
on the ground floor, and together with the Phuket Orchid Resort is fully
operational with paying guests. For up-to-date info log onto to
www.katagroup.com

Meanwhile UK ABTA members are donating to the appeal fundthrough the UK
Disasters Emergency Committee - website www.dec.org.uk
Latest information on some of the major holiday destinations at time of
going to Press is as follows:

INDIA
THE president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, Subhash Goyal has
gone public to correct recent media reports (both print and electronic)
about the travel situation in India.
He said: "There have been exaggerated and wrong reports in the media about
the impact of recent Tsunami tidal wave in parts of coastal India along with
South Asian Countries.
"These reports give the erroneous impression that travel to India is unsafe
for the foreign tourists.
"Unfortunately this impression is further strengthened by misquoting of
advisories sent by UK and USA for their citizens.
"Let me clarify on behalf of the entire Indian Tourism Industry and the
National Association of Tour Operators that India is safe and normal.
"Also let me stress that not a single foreign tourist is reported to have
been injured or died due to Tsunami tidal wave in India.
"This tidal wave has affected mainly Andaman and Nicobar islands which are
closer to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand even though they are part of
India.
"On the South Eastern Coast and tip of India some fishermen and their
fishing boats were washed away along with their families and the local
population."
He added: "The rest of the India is having a normal life with no visible
effect of this great tragedy. For instance, all airports are fully
functional and the hotels are operating normally with no report of any
damage to hotels in any other part of the country.
"The network of our railways (which carries over 15 million people every
day), is running normally. The road and air traffic is also normal."
For information, visit www.iatoindia.com , or go to the website of the
Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India www.tourismofindia.com

MALAYSIA
IT IS business as usual in the popular tourist destination of Penang,
according to the Malaysian Tourist Authorities.
The country's Tourism Minister made the assessment after making a site
inspection to the area affected by tsunami. Post Tsunami site inspection
revealed that the damage to the affected area was minimal and short-term.
Malaysia Airlines' flights are operating as scheduled and there has been no
cancellation of flights to Malaysia. Hotel occupancy is above 75 per cent in
Penang; and although initially there were minor cancellations of hotel
bookings, most tourists vacationing in Penang were extending their stay.
Tourist attractions on the island are not affected and cancellations from
travellers have been minimal.

THE MALDIVES
OUT OF a total 87 resorts in the Maldives, 64 are fully operational and 70
per cent of hotels are said to be in good condition.
Some ABTA tour operators have resumed operations to this area but you should
still contact your agent to check if you plan on travelling there.
Some islands in the Maldives were totally devastated and out of 199
inhabited atolls 53 suffered from the Tsunami. The worst were on the east
side such as Meemu and Thaa with Kolhufushi said to be ruined.

THAILAND

TRAVELLERS and holidaymakers concerned about travel to Thailand should be
aware that the west coast, islands and south coast should be avoided.
Phuket Airport is fully functional and contrary to widespread belief some
resorts in Phuket are still open. However, travellers should be aware of the
risk of disease in the still open resorts of Phuket and understand that a
lot of the infrastructure here has been severley damaged.
Most hotels in Krabi in the south coast were spared due to its high altitude
but the beach is totally devastated.
Amari Trang Beach, Sukorn Beach Bungalosw resorts are open but beaches are
damaged.
Koh Samui, Pattaya, Rayong, Hua Hin and Cha-am (the Gulf of Thailand) are
physically unaffected by the Tsunami.

SRI LANKA
SRI Lanka's tourism has taken aggressive action to restore the industry that
was growing at record levels before the Tsunami.
"A healthy tourism industry will be the key to the recovery of our economy,
the rebuilding of our nation," said Udaya Nanayakkara, the Chairman of the
Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
"We have already seen operations restored at more than half of the affected
hotels, restoring more than 3,000 of the 5,600 hotel rooms affected by the
waves."
Tourism is Sri Lanka's fourth largest source of foreign revenue. It directly
benefits more than 200,000 people and contributes about US$400 million per
year in foreign earnings.
"One of the most heartwarming effects of this tragedy has been the attitude
of our foreign visitors. A large number have refused to leave the country.
They have insisted on travelling on to the interior where there is some of
the most unique attractions in the world, including six world heritage
sites."
For further information log on to ww.contactsrilanka.org for further
details.