THE Travel Industry of America has attempted to reassure prospective visitors from the UK in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Said a statement from Roger Dow, President of the Travel Industry Association of America: "While it's not yet possible to travel to NewOrleans and some parts of the Gulf Coast, the majority of the US coast is unaffected and open for business.

"Whether you want to visit California, Florida, New York, Illinois,Washington, DC or any area in-between, visitors should not hesitate to travel around the US."

Meanwhile tourist chiefs in the affected areas have pleaded with holidaymakers not to forsake the region altogether. Instead, the New Orleans Copnvention and Visitors' Bureau wants travellers to visit other sights in Louisiana or simply defer their trip until 2006. It wants UK travellers not to turn their backs on the region, but admits that it will be three months at the very least before New Orleans can welcome visitors again.

"The UK is the strongest international market to New Orleans and we very much hope that this will continue," said Jody Hanson, UK Sales Director for the New Orleans CVB and Louisiana Office of Tourism. "Many UK travellers are seeking alternative holiday destinations throughout Louisiana and the Deep South in cities that are very much open for business and we look forward to welcoming British visitors."

According to the CVB, tour operators are making decisions on a week by week basis, offering customers alternative destinations and fly drive routes through the Deep South, or allowing them to cancel.

Travelers can visit www.seeamerica.org for travel updates on the affected areas, as well as travel information for all US destinations.

The website is being updated on a regular basis to reflect current travel conditions.