APPENDIX 1
BTA's Report on the Impact of Foot and
Mouth Coverage in Overseas Markets
AUSTRALIA
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing.
Headlines have included: "Foot and Mouth Outlook Improves"—carried
in all major newspapers on 5 April 2001. "Hope Emerges on
Foot and Mouth"—the Australian (Times reported
article) 5 April 2001.
The Australian Fisheries and Food Authorities
have placed ads in all travel trade media, mentioning FMD and
warning not to import any dairy/food products from abroad.
In comparison with previous weeks, the proportion
of enquiries relating to FMD has decreased.
BELGIUM
Overall media coverage of FMD in Britain is
decreasing but coverage on FMD in the Netherlands is increasing.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries has remained the same, however the proportion of
enquiries to BTA relating to FMD has decreased by 20 per cent.
Cancellations are decreasing, but bookings are
not reaching the same levels as this time last year.
BRAZIL
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing.
The Brazilian Government has made no public
statements with reference to FMD.
The advice to London from Brazilian UK posts
is that high profile articles addressing FMD would be counter
productive in Brazil given that Brazilians are familiar with the
problem and there is no sense of panic.
CANADA
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing.
This is the first week that there has been no FMD front-page newspaper
coverage.
Some Alberta provincial MPs are suggesting to
their residents not to visit the UK in order to protect the cattle
industry.
In comparison with last week, the number of
enquiries to BTA Toronto has decreased, however the proportion
of enquiries relating to FMD has reduced to 40 per cent from 60
per cent.
DENMARK
In comparison with last week, the total numbers
of enquiries have remained the same, however the proportions of
enquiries relating to FMD have increased.
Increase in group cancellations compared with
last week—especially from agricultural interest groups and
youth groups originating from rural areas of Denmark.
One canal boat operator has reported that he
has lost two thirds of his summer business, due to the fact that
the waterway system has been closed.
Coach operators are reporting a standstill in
bookings as customers wait for FMD developments.
DUBAI
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries to BTA in Dubai has increased by 30 per cent. Very
few of these enquiries are in relation to FMD.
Overall, the Middle East is experiencing very
few problems in relation to FMD.
FRANCE
The overall media coverage of FMD is increasing
and the tone is still very hostile. Recent articles have tended
to become more visual with scenes from Cumbria. The damage this
has done as well as TV scenes, has been devastating to future
tourism visits in the short term.
There was still a 20 per cent reduction in the
number of phone enquiries and visitors to the BTA office in Paris
this week.
The most frequently asked questions are: "Is
it safe to eat the food and what is available?" "Can
I travel around the countryside without a problem and where are
the restrictions?" "Are you sure that FMD is not dangerous
to humans especially children?"
Meeting held with partners last Friday indicated
that there are no real cancellations at the moment, but a lack
of forward bookings for Easter/May/summer.
London continues not to pose many problems,
with Eurostar claiming a 3 per cent increase.
Car-borne traffic to the UK is the most affected.
HONG KONG
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries to BTA in Hong Kong has increased, however the proportion
of enquiries relating to FMD is still seen as "insignificant".
One daily newspaper, The Sun, is refusing
to buy travel stories on Britain until the FMD issue is under
control. The Sun (not related to The Sun in Britain)
has the third highest circulation in Hong Kong.
IRELAND
Britain continues to be heavily criticised over
our apparent lack of action regarding the spread of FMD, with
precautions at ports and airports, inconsistent use of disinfectant
and (an apparent) lack of concern over the movement of people
to sporting events etc.
In recent days the Department of Agriculture
in Ireland has "softened" slightly its attitude regarding
travelling to Britain (having realised the possible damage which
may be done to their own tourism industry).
Widespread confusion amongst the public in Ireland
(as a result of the Irish Government's information/misinformation)
regarding whether it is safe to travel to Britain.
NEW ZEALAND
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing.
Headlines this week have included; "Britain re-opens Countryside
to Tourists"—New Zealand Herald 3 April 2001.
New Zealand MAF have mailed pamphlets to all
rural mail delivery addresses, detailing how to recognise foot
and mouth disease.
Enquiries to BTA in Auckland have decreased
dramatically during the second half of this week. Sales in the
office have also gone extremely quiet.
Wholesalers and retailers are reporting some
cancellations. Airlines are reporting that they are not being
affected at all and that their flights are still full.
No new summer business is being reported, but
bookings have picked up for September/October period.
PORTUGAL
Press comments have been fairly neutral, although
there is some criticism of the non-vaccination option.
The Government has removed shoe-cleaning measures
previously applied to airport arrivals from the UK.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries has decreased slightly. No enquiries have been in
relation to FMD.
SINGAPORE
Overall media coverage of FMD is decreasing,
however the tone remains hostile.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries have decreased and so too has the proportion of enquiries
relating to FMD.
Two major local tour operators estimate that
at the recent NATAS (National Association of Tourist Boards) travel
consumer fair, they had between 10 per cent and 18 per cent increase
in consumer traffic to Europe, with at least 90 per cent travelling
to London.
Flights on BA/QF to London are reported full
between May and July.
SOUTH AFRICA
Overall media coverage of FMD is remaining sympathetic.
Enquiries to BTA in Johannesburg have increased
since last week.
No evidence of cancellations from BA, Virgin,
Friends of the Lion etc.
SPAIN
There has been a considerable decrease in media
coverage of FMD this week. There is however, still some tourism
related coverage. There has also been considerable coverage related
to other countries' fears of FMD, particularly Germany and the
USA.
The tone of the coverage is significantly less
hostile than last week.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries relating to FMD has decreased slightly. The proportions
of enquiries relating to FMD are down 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent.
The general consensus still seems to be around
15-20 per cent cancellation from the trade.
EFL operators appear to be slightly more worried
than last week, although there is still no major alarm.
There is some mention of clients choosing Ireland
and the USA instead of Britain.
SWITZERLAND AND
AUSTRIA
Some Austrian Education Embassies have issued
confusing advice to schools.
In comparison with last week, the total number
of enquiries has remained the same.
UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
Overall media coverage of FMD is at the same
level as last week. The tone of the coverage is hostile.
The BTA Chicago office is working with local
Consul General's office to counteract negative publicity in the
Midwest (in association with the BTA office in New York).
United Airlines are not offering full refunds
due to FMD cancellations, however they are offering a credit voucher
or the opportunity to change travel dates without penalty.
Virgin Vacations have had very few cancellations,
but new bookings are very slow. They are currently holding meetings
to develop a programme of special offers.
British Airways has had a notable downturn in
the first three months of this year—they report this is
due to economic conditions rather than being FMD related. On 6
March, BA issued a policy for refunds.
Aer Lingus is offering a full refund policy
to those who decide not to fly because of FMD.
April 2001
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