LOS ANGELES -- The public's exaggerated perception of SARS, more
than the actual impact of the virus in otherwise popular
destinations such as Hong Kong, has dealt the most damage to Asian
tourism.
That was the conclusion reached by about 20 airline, tour
operator and hotel representatives gathered here last week for the
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Americas' Division
roundtable conference.
In his opening remarks, Jerry Picolla, PATA's North America
interim director, said fear of and misinformation about SARS is so
extreme that people have been avoiding Chinatowns in San Francisco
and New York, and some consumers have stopped buying goods
manufactured in China.
Picolla stressed the importance of putting the threat of SARS
into perspective.
"As of May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that
the number of people who have died from SARS is 764. In the U.S.,
about 36,000 a year die from the flu; 42,000 thousand people a year
in the U.S. are killed by automobile accidents; worldwide,
tuberculosis kills 5,000 people daily."
He urged industry members to access information from sources
such as the WHO. Quoting from credible sources, Picolla said, would
help alleviate pressure for carriers and tour operators that, while
believing SARS is not a risk, do not want the liability of saying
so.
Some attendees held out hope that as SARS continues to subside
as a threat -- and as promotional campaigns kick in to woo back
travelers to Asian destinations -- the worst has passed for
regional tourism.
"It's been very hard for everyone," said Irene Chen, director of
tour development at Pacific Delight Tours. "But if we push now, we
will gain in the future. If enough people come, others will
follow."