Worries over Australian tourism

Some say the kidnap will stem the flow of tourists

By Phil Mercer in Darwin

There is fierce disagreement in Australia over the impact the disappearance of 28-year-old Briton Peter Falconio will have on the country's multi-billion dollar tourism industry.

You can't imagine anything like that happening

British tourist

The Youth Hostels Association says the weekend ambush of a young British couple could have a serious effect on the number of visitors to the Northern Territory, the home of Uluru - formerly Ayers Rock - and the Kakadu National Park.

Bardia Badaghi from the territory's YHA says the attack has shocked travellers, and he fears it could turn away some of the 117,000 British tourists who visit the territory each year.

"I think over time people might think twice before coming to the territory," he said.

"Even though hundreds of thousands of people come and go every year, one incident like that is generally very bad publicity, that's for sure."

Serial killer

The Northern Territory's most senior politician, Chief Minister Dennis Burke disagrees. He says the region remains a safe destination.

"Backpackers move in and out of areas all over the world that are potentially dangerous from time to time, and in comparison the Northern Territory is a safe and attractive tourist venue and will remain so," he said.

The couple were flagged down by the gunman on Saturday

British newspapers have raised concern about the dangers of travelling in Australia, highlighting the Childers hostel fire a year ago.

Six young Britons who died were among the 15 victims.

The papers have also reminded readers of Ivan Milat, one of Australia's worst serial killers.

He murdered seven backpackers, including two British women.

Convoys

The attack on Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees has caused obvious alarm among backpackers in the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs.

Twenty-four-year-old Sharon Darlington from Gloucestershire, who is travelling with her boyfriend, said she has had trouble sleeping.

"It has freaked me out," she says.

"It's a little too close for comfort. We're both English and we have a Kombi van also and to think it could have been us is just terrifying."

Many backpackers are extending their stay in Alice Springs, wary of leaving the safety of the desert town for an unpredictable and isolated journey north.

Many who do decide to make the trip to Darwin and the tropical north will only do so in convoy.

"We'll just try to keep in a big group of people and I'm sure we'll be fine," said 27-year-old Stuart from Cardiff. "I'm told it is an isolated incident but obviously it makes us all very frightened."

Backpackers' concern

There has been frantic activity in Alice Springs' internet cafes as the backpackers try to reassure worried friends and family back home.

"I've just received an e-mail from my dad telling me to stay within organised groups," said Kirsty from London. "He's so worried."

For those British tourists waiting and wondering in Alice Springs, there is overwhelming concern for Joanne Lees, who has suffered a backpacker's worst nightmare.

"She must be going through hell not knowing what's happened to her man or where he is," said one Scottish woman. "You can't imagine anything like that happening."

Many travellers believe that in the short-term backpackers will avoid the Northern Territory and go elsewhere until the case is cleared up.

In the future, however, normal service will resume but, just like Childers and Ivan Milat, the horror of Barrow Creek will be remembered.