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