US tourists shun Britain

Americans fear they won't reach British beauty spots

By Jane Hughes in New York

The foot-and-mouth crisis is starting to affect tourism in one of the UK's largest markets - the United States.

I wouldn't want to pay money to go to England right now, because you can't get into the countryside

American tourist

Americans love Britain - more than four million of them visited last year alone, bringing £2.5bn to the economy.

But the images they are seeing at the moment are frightening them off.

The New York British Tourist Authority is fielding 1,000 calls a day asking if Britain is safe and if they can drink the water.

Coming after the BSE crisis, foot-and-mouth disease is a scare too far for people here.

Many are simply striking the UK off their holiday wish-list.

Confusion

"I don't think I would bother going to London if I could avoid it," says one woman.

"If I'd planned for England or France, I'd go to France."

Some people feel that Britain simply isn't good value for money while the foot-and-mouth crisis continues.

"I wouldn't want to pay money to go to England right now, because you can't get into the countryside," says one potential tourist.

There's enormous confusion in the United States about foot-and-mouth disease.

Some think it is the same thing as BSE and many fear their health would be endangered by a visit to the UK.

Tour operators say bookings are down over 30% and cancellations are at record levels.

Shoe disinfecting at airports for travellers returning to the US just serves to heighten concern.

Whatever the truth of the situation, many Americans plan to give the UK a wide berth for now.