Asia to rebuild positive image

A CONFERENCE on tourism communications in Bali last week ended with a call to calm the fears of consumers who think it is still not safe to travel to the tsunami affected areas. The conference was opened by a video message from former US president Bill Clinton. He said: “Tourists need more information about the impact the tsunami has had on tourist facilities. Some potential tourists simply don’t know that many of the resorts in the region are fully recovered and open for business.” Indonesian minister of culture and tourism Jero Wacik said the conference was a crucial part of the Phuket Action Plan of post-tsunami recovery. The conference highlighted the importance of communication to rebuild the images of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. (Dorine Berger)