Peter de Jong, president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has urged travellers to aid the recovery of the tsunami-hit destinations by taking holidays there.
“People in these areas know that even as they begin to rebuild their lives and their communities, full recovery will only be possible when travellers return to their shores,” he said.
He added that of the eight destinations hit by the tsunami only three suffered significant damage to their tourism infrastructure; Sri Lanka, the Maldives and southern Thailand.
On its website, the organisation identifies those areas which are not yet ready to welcome tourists again, including Phi Phi Don Island and Khao Lak in Thailand. Details: www.pata.org/tsunami
