Tourists opt for SARS-free zones

Tourists opt for SARS-free zones

JAKARTA: Realizing that some parts of Asia are being avoided by
tourists because of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), a travel agent is offering Europe, Japan and
Korea as alternative destinations.

The director of Panorama Tours, Rama Tirtawisata, said over
the weekend that during the past two months people had been
avoiding making trips to SARS-affected places, such as China,
Singapore and Thailand.

He said the alternative destinations had been declared free
from the flu-like illness by the World Health Organization.

Rama said that in a bid to attract more travelers to visit the
new tourist destinations, considerable discounts would be
offered.

"For the next holiday season, which falls in June and July, we
are offering discounts of up to US$500 for those interested in
making trips to Europe, Korea and Japan," he said. -- JP