Could Hydrophobia be the next Major Challenge to World Tourism

As television images are beamed around the world showing absolutely horrific scenes of devastation and death, Hydrophobia, the fear of water, could well become a new challenge that the tourism industry around the world will have to face.

A couple of British travellers currently in Singapore on their way to Thailand, said they were considering cancelling their long awaited holiday to the paradise island of Koh Samui because they just would not be able to relax, and would not be able to take their eyes of the water. Koh Samui, as with all other areas in the Gulf of Siam, has not in any way been affected by the killer Tsunamis that hit Thailand's west coast and other countries in Asia Sunday morning.

Before Sunday, the word Tsunami, outside of the scientific community, was rarely used. Today however, people around the world know only too well how powerful and frightening even the most tranquil and beautiful of seas can be.

The devastation caused by the Tsunamis is beyond belief, and the images are enough to sicken, millions have been affected and the cost of rebuilding lives, communities and peoples confidence will cost billions, upon billions, of dollars.

As with all phobias, it will take time to overcome, but once again, Asia's tourism industry which was only just recovering from the SARS crisis, war in Iraq and terrorist attacks, finds itself facing another incomprehensible and unexpected challenge.

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