By Steve Schifferes BBC News Online in Washington

The traditional American seaside

According to the latest opinion poll, 55% of Americans would not travel abroad even if they had the time and could afford it.

But only 3% have cancelled holidays because of the threat of war, although 17% say it has made them less likely to fly.

According to Mike Lovery of Liberty Travel in Chevy Chase, Maryland, they are still doing a brisk business in holidays to the Caribbean following the bitter winter storms in Washington.

But he is getting an increasing number of questions about the whether people would have the right to cancel in the event of war.

Never travelled

Less than half of Americans have ever travelled abroad, and many of those journeys would have been just a few miles across the border to Mexico or Canada.

For those who did not want to travel abroad, 21% cited a general fear, while 18% specifically mentioned terrorism, and 7% said it would not be safe to be an American overseas.

That compared to 5% who feared a war with Iraq and 7% who were afraid of flying.

The largest group, however, just had no desire to travel so far away (26%).

Economic damage

Overseas tourism was more popular with young people and the better off.

Only 27% of those over 65 wanted to travel abroad, while 58% of Americans under would do so.

And 65% of those with incomes of over $75,000 were willing to fly overseas.

Of those who did want to travel abroad, the most popular destination was Britain, with Europe generally the most favoured location.

The figures suggest that the travel and tourism industry - which has already been weak since September 11 - could take another hit as a result of an Iraq war, especially if it was linked with further outbreaks of terrorism.

Especially vulnerable could be Middle Eastern countries like Turkey and Israel, which heavily rely on the tourism trade.

And the struggling US airline industry - with two major airlines operating while in Chapter 11 bankruptcy - could face more challenges.

War jitters

As the government has issued more and more warnings about the threat of terrorism, there have been other signs of general anxiety, for example, with people stocking up on food and supplies.

And the uncertainty about the war is also making individuals and businesses enter into large purchases.

The reluctance to travel abroad is just one more manifestation of the wide-ranging economic effects of a possible war.