DUE to the recent terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, in Washington, the travel industry has been affected in a way nobody could have envisaged before the truly awful events that took place on September 11, 2001.

With daily press and media coverage continuing to paint a picture of global recession, war and terrorism, it is no wonder the travel industry is suffering its biggest crisis of the new century, and yet there is no better time than the present for people to be assured that world travel is safer than ever, and certainly safer than it was in July when millions of British tourists were abroad, taking a holiday and not worrying about the world's problems. It is safer to go away on holiday than to cross many of Malvern's roads or to drive on nearby motorways.

President George Bush has recently re-iterated this fact to the citizens of the United States and the world, that airports are open, and that the worldwide economy needs people to get on planes and go about their every day business.

Malvern and its surrounding areas need people to re-start taking their holidays as they had planned before these awful atrocities occurred, and knowing that they are going to be safe, as they do so. There are a lot of safe destinations around the world, and also a lot of countries that rely on inbound tourism, just as we do.

Malvern has already suffered with the outbreak of foot and mouth and has probably had its lowest amount of inbound tourism recorded.

When the people of Malvern travel abroad, they make friendships and talk about the area they come from. This in turn helps the tourism of this area. If the citizens of Malvern are not travelling, the impact on local businesses will be enormous and far more widespread than the foot and mouth disease.

For those that might not like to fly, there are lots of holiday ideas closer to home, theatre breaks, rail holidays, Eurostar, self-drive holidays, cottage holidays and coach tours, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and lots of other suggestions.

Our hearts go out to those affected by recent events, but now is the time to start travelling and back local and national economies and not to give into terrorism by being locked up in our houses. Now is a safer time to travel than ever before.

LEE HARRISON, Managing Director, Select World Travel, Church Street, Malvern.