By Chris Simpson In Dakar

January in Senegal is normally one of the biggest months of the tourist season as thousands of mainly European visitors arrive in the West African country's coastal resorts.

One of the main tourism centres is Cap Skirring in the far south western corner of Senegal, but this year numbers are down again.

Hotel owners, guides and others involved in the tourism industry say Cap Skirring has suffered because of misconceptions about its location in Casamance, a part of Senegal caught up in a 20-year-old civil war.

Empty rooms

This January in Cap Skirring some hotels are fully booked with passengers who have arrived on chartered flights from Europe.

Others stand virtually empty.

The more experienced hotel owners talk appreciatively of the customers who come year in year out.

SENEGAL

Population: 10m Main religion: Islam Main language: French Currency: CFA franc

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They are disparaging about European foreign ministries and embassies, arguing that the French government and others paint an exaggerated, alarming picture of the hazards awaiting visitors.

Distant troubles

Cap Skirring is part of Casamance, Senegal's troubled southern province.

For more than 20 years the government in Dakar has struggled to end an insurgency led by guerrillas fighting nominally for a separate state.

Cap Skirring, according to residents and tourists, is completely secure, untainted by the ambushes and attacks which take place elsewhere in Casamance.

But its geographical proximity to the conflict leads to misconceptions on the part of embassies and tour operators.

Tranquility reigns

For now, Cap Skirring remains an enclave, and one where tourism dominates.

Like other African resorts the village has the usual assortment of boutiques, discotheques and dance troupes.

There are numerous guides, some licensed, some simply offering unsolicited advice on excursions and craft bargains.

There may be a certain tension between the hotel owners and the young men trying to get their own share of the tourism business, but they do have the same message.

Cap Skirring can only survive if Casamance finds peace and visitors who are staying away are missing out on one of the best holiday opportunities in West Africa.