FED: SARS and war to have severe impact on tourism - ATC
The Australian Tourist Commission warns that the combined effects of the war in Iraqand Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome will have a severe impact on inbound tourism.
ATC managing director KEN BOUNDY says the current crisis is as serious for the industryas the impact of September 11 and the Ansett collapse almost 18 months ago.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States and the Ansett collapse,the 2001 December quarter recorded a 15.4 per cent dip in arrivals to Australia.
With the war and SARS sparking uncertainty among potential travellers, and a dramaticcut in airline capacity, the June quarter in 2003 is looking equally bleak.
Mr BOUNDY says arrivals into Australia fell 15 per cent during the first week of theIraq war and 20 per cent in the second week.
AAP RTV ch/sc/dl/jas
KEYWORD: TOURISM AUST (BRISBANE)
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