Lonely Planet – Keep travelling to Asia
The boss of Lonely Planet travel guides has called on travellers to return to tsunami affected areas as soon as it is right to do so.
His comments came as Home Secretary Jack Straw revealed on a visit to Thailand that 440 Britons were either dead or missing in the tsunami disaster. At least 49 are confirmed dead.
Revealing a £200,000 donation to communities and people hit by the disaster, Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler said: “The social and economic devastation caused by the tsunami looks likely to be aggravated by the effect on the tourism industry.
“These communities depend upon revenue from the tourism industry and will continue to need the support of travellers as people come together to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”
He called on travellers who have already booked holidays to the region to thoroughly research their destination.
“Whilst some areas have been ravaged, others are completely untouched and can be visited,” he said. “If your destination is affected, consider visiting another part of the country – there are plenty of alternatives such as the tea plantation highlands of Sri Lanka or Thailand’s east coast or hill tribe treks of the north.”
Mr Wheeler added: “We can, and should, dig into our pockets to contribute money to relief efforts in the tsunami-wreaked regions, but in the longer term the best thing we can do is, simply, go there.
“Though the current situation is tragic in many areas, things will get better. Nobody is suggesting we should go there and get in the way of the clear up, but the situation will improve.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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