The British tourism industry is bracing itself for a catastrophic season and losses of billions of pounds as visitors stay away because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, tour operators said.
"Most of these tourists are deciding to cancel their bookings because the excursions they had planned, such as horse races, will not happen anyway," according to a spokesman for the Agricultural Travel Bureau.
Foot-and-mouth has resulted in hundreds of farms being placed under quarantine, and thousands of paths in national parks closed off to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.
"The crisis affects the whole country, everywhere, even the capital," said a spokesman for the Hotels and More group.
Britain's tourism revenue has already fallen by 10 per cent compared to last year and by up to 80 per cent in the worst-hit regions, according to culture minister Mr Chris Smith.
An audit handed to Prime Minister Tony Blair last week by the British Hospitality Association predicted the epidemic would cost the industry £5 billion by September, which isfar higher than any previous estimate.
Tourism accounts for up to 3.9 per cent of Britain's gross domestic product -more than farming.
Some 1.86 million people and seven per cent of jobs in the country are dependent on the industry, and Britain ranks fifth in the world in terms of tourist revenue.
AFP