Recent reports indicate that earnings from tourism in areas of the UK most affected by foot and mouth disease, such as Cumbria and Devon, have fallen by up to 80 per cent. The Southern Tourist Board which covers areas including the Cotswolds, Isle of Wight and Dorset refers to the "severe impact" of the crisis with bookings at some hotels down by half.

Yet while visitors stay away, the majority of Britain IS open for business: there's no ban on visiting the countryside and more than 80% of attractions are open. The government's OpenBritain website (www.openbritain.gov.uk) stresses that "it's possible to visit cities, towns, villages and thousands of places all over the country just as you have always done, and more places are opening each day. A day out, or a weekend break, or a longer holiday can still be enormous fun, and just as relaxing as it ever was." In Scotland, there are some restrictions in place because of the foot and mouth outbreak but there are still opportunities to visit towns and cities, visitor attractions, golf courses, ski slopes and more.

The British Tourist Authority is offering the following advice to visitors:

• Foot and Mouth is not a risk to human health and any precautions that are taken are there to protect animal welfare and minimise the chances of spreading the disease.
• There is no reason to cancel or postpone your trip as visits to the countryside are not banned. You can freely drive along tarmac roads and visit country towns, villages, hotels, pubs and the many stately homes and museums which are open
• There is still plenty to see and do in Britain, however, the Government has issued the following advice to people planning to visit the countryside:
• Obey all 'Keep Out' and 'Road Closed' signs. Do not go on closed footpaths or bridleways.
• Do not go near cows, pigs, sheep, goats, or deer. Do not handle or feed them or leave waste food around.
• Don't go on farmland, or open country, or walk dogs even on a lead, unless you are sure that the land isn't used by cows, pigs, sheep, goats, or deer.

Visitors should contact the relevant Tourist Board or Tourist Information Centre for specific advice on the situation in a particular area before they travel:

Useful Information

England: www.travelengland.org

Scotland: www.visitscotland.com

Wales: www.visitwales.com

Northern Ireland: www.ni-tourism.com

Open.www.visitbritain.com for details of more than 15,000 cities and events to go to

London: www.visitlondon.com

Within England:
Cumbria Tourist Board www.golakes.co.uk
East of England Tourist Board www.eastofenglandtouristboard.com
Heart of England Tourist Board www.visitheartofengland.com
Northumbria Tourist Board www.ntb.org.uk
North West Tourist Board www.visitnorthwest.com
South East England Tourist Board www.southeastengland.uk.com
Southern Tourist Board www.gosouth.co.uk
South West Tourism www.westcountryholidays.com
Yorkshire Tourist Board www.ytb.org.uk