BEIJING, Aug. 23 -- A string of attacks around the world this summer have not only left much fear and sadness in their wake, but have also cast a shadow over the travel industry.

    The Chinese National Tourism Administration issued a notice recently that warned the country's travel agencies to be more cautious when they organize tours to destinations that have been hit or are at high risk of violent attacks.

    Malaysia and Switzerland are listed as such areas because robberies and thefts targeting Chinese citizens now often take place there.

    "Travel agencies should not arrange tours to these areas and should adjust their travel routes if time permits," the notice said.

    It also advises travel agencies to give tourists basic knowledge on how to guard against robbery and theft and how to protect themselves in case of a bombing or other terror attack.

    The tourism administration also ordered tourism authorities at all levels to set up a mechanism to sort out and publish safety information about foreign destinations.

    At present, about 100 foreign countries are open to Chinese tourists.

    According to the China International Travel Service office in Beijing, the administration's warning in the wake of the attacks in Britain and Egypt has reduced tourism to these areas.

    "We had to cancel several group tours to the Mediterranean recently," said an employee at the office who gave only a surname, Zheng. "Groups setting out in October were also severely affected."

    However, the World Tourism Organization predicted the recent attacks would have only a short-lived effect on tourism as people come to accept higher levels of uncertainty than before.

    Li Wei, director of the Centre for Counter-terrorism Studies of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said tourists should learn self-defence skills and keep a close lookout for possible attacks.

    Li suggested that people travelling to foreign countries should not go to crowded places and take necessary contact information, such as phone numbers of local Chinese embassies, with them.

    "Cheaper hotels are sometimes safer than high-grade ones because they are less likely to be chosen as targets for terror attacks," Li was quoted by the China Youth Daily as saying.

    Li also advised people who plan to visit foreign countries to search for travel safety tips on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    
(Source: China Daily)