Public backs return to tsunami-hit countries
Consumers are showing a strong commitment to returning to South Asia in the wake of the tsunami, latest research shows.
More than half of adults (52%) from Britain, France and Germany, who were previously considering the tsunami-affected region in southern Asia as a holiday destination, are still planning to visit in the next 12 months.
The findings of a CNN/TIME poll conducted by market information provider TNS also suggest that among more than 7.2 million Britons who were previously considering the region as a holiday destination, more than 3.65 million (50%) are still considering visiting the area.
The research was conducted on January 14-19 among representative samples of approximately 1,000 adults in each of Britain, France and Germany.
TNS director Sue Homeyard said: “It is encouraging for the economies of those countries affected by the tsunami – many of which rely heavily on tourism – to know that a large proportion of visitors from Europe have not been deterred from their holiday plans over the coming year.
“While there has clearly been a huge physical, economic and cultural impact on many countries in southern Asia following the tsunami, the findings suggest that tourism will continue to make a relatively strong contribution to the recovery process and help many of these countries rebuild.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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