Many of the 250,000 people killed were tourists visiting holiday destinations in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives, but as travellers are going elsewhere, local economies are being put at risk.

Delegates at the two-day meeting on the Thai island of Phuket are hoping to work out what can be done to entice foreign guests back.

What do you think can be done to lure tourists back to the areas? Have you visited the area or are you due to go? Do you live or work in one of the affected areas? Send us your views and experiences.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:

I was lucky enough, as a travel agent, to visit the Maldives in November and was stunned by the beauty there. What has happened is a great tragedy, but like the hurricanes in the Caribbean and disasters everywhere, life must go on.It is vital that tourists can visit these regions again, and I would go back tomorrow if given the chance. In the travel industry we've seen a major slump in sales to these areas, and this could spell disaster for years!
Andi, Falkirk

I urge you all to come back to Thailand and help us help ourselves Cherry R, UK/Thailand

As time pass, the media coverage of tsunami become less and less frequent. In some way, the world is moving on. But as a Thai citizen, it is hard for us to really move on when many are still suffering, emotionally and financially. As well as generous donation, I think the Thai people would like see the return of tourism. After all, it was part of their lives. There are still many lovely places and hotels which remained untouched by the tsunami event within the affected areas and their future depend on the tourism. So, yes, I urge you all to come back to Thailand and help us help ourselves.
Cherry R, UK/Thailand

What if some enterprising tourist agencies developed packages that included a day or two of volunteer work to help the locals rebuild? That kind of "balanced" tourism would appeal to me.
Kirk Thomas, San Francisco, USA

I don't think anyone should go until a proper tsunami warning system is in place. Just imagine how many lives could have been saved if they had it two months ago. It's mainly the locals who would benefit from the system; but it's the tourists who can force the governments to put it in place by not coming until it's there.
Lenka, UK

It's up to the countries that were hit, to decide isn't it? Out of respect, I'd take things very quietly, but tourism plays a huge part in the daily economics of people's lives there, so as soon as possible, for their sakes. I'd hope visitors would show some respect and decorum when returning. I'll be going to Thailand later this year, though not on holiday, and I won't be visiting the areas hit by the Tsunami either.
Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, UK

If the locals want tourism to return, the best way to help these regions is to go there and spend money. Lend a hand if you want. It will be a different kind of holiday, but that's what many want.
David, Cornwall, UK

People have to return (my sister has just left for a month in Thailand, starting in the North though) - the main consideration is that many more people will be affected by this disaster if tourists do not return. We're talking about the way people make money to survive and that is just as important (if not more so) than money and help donated through charities.
Neil, New Brunswick, NJ, USA (ex Cambridge, UK)

The tsunami that occurred last month in south east Asia was merely an accidental incident which might happen anytime (or never) in any corner of the world. So, we should not be afraid of it and stop travelling.
Peter Sharma, Dubai, UAE

If people wish to go to the affected areas it's up to them but I would say Thailand has far more to offer than purpose built seaside resorts Graham Baker, Manchester

I am in Thailand right now in the north east Isan area - hardly any tourists here, great food, great people and great sights. I was in Pattaya three weeks ago - too much traffic, too much pollution, too much building and too many drunken tourists. If people wish to go to the affected areas it's up to them but I would say Thailand has far more to offer than purpose built seaside resorts.
Graham Baker, Manchester, England

Of course they should. Do we stop going to San Francisco or Florida or the Caribbean after other natural disasters? No we don't. I for one will get there when the people of Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka have recovered sufficiently to offer the excellent holiday atmosphere which is always available there.
Mitch, Darwen, UK

Tourism will create jobs and jobs will stimulate the economy and a strong economy will foster recovery. One has to wonder, however, where those providing the service are living given they lost everything a month ago?
Rob G, Kansas City, USA

I think what people need is a return to what they are used to seeing and doing on a daily basis. Tourism is part of their routine and it needs to return if any semblance of normalcy is to be had.
Peter, NYC

Don't stay away - go there and help them get their lives back to some sort of normality Jon, London, England

I can't believe that there are people on here suggesting that those that go to the affected areas don't care. The people and the governments of those countries are saying, publicly and often, if you care come here! It helps bring the money in, it helps people restore their lives, and it might even save some lives.

If you feel guilty about being there, volunteer a day of your holiday to help people restore their community. But to stay away, naively believing that the governments of some of these places will step in and fill the financial void left by the tourists is crazy - people will be out of work, go hungry and be in peril. Don't stay away - go there and help them get their lives back to some sort of normality.
Jon, London, England

I'd love to visit Thailand or Sri Lanka, but not now; it's too early. I wouldn't be able to fully enjoy my holiday, there'd still be too much sorrow for those who died.
Simona, Como, Italy

They need tourists a lot more than a quick handout of money. If you really want to make a difference don't just phone a number or donate some money, go and visit these beautiful countries.
Ewan Bowers, Perth

It is imperative that early warning systems are set up to detect tsunamis. Once tourists are convinced that there are early warning systems in place they would start trickling back and given a further year or two will come back in droves! After all these places have been tourist havens for years. The tourism boards of these countries will have to reinvest in these areas by building strong sturdy accommodation. Hope springs eternal and the people living in these areas are pretty resilient.
Pancha Chandra, Brussels, Belgium

Yes, the tourists should return. The Thai's especially have worked very hard to get the beaches back to a semblance of normality. They want the tourists to return as they realise that it is the tourists who will help them economically. They are not asking for handouts. They want to work and for the foreigners to come and enjoy themselves as before.
Steve B, Bangkok (Thailand)

I think that it is too soon for tourists to come back. They need to get their country back together first. But within time the tourists will come back.
Carrie, Springfield, The United States

Freak events happen Jonny, England

o avoid the affected areas as tourist destinations makes no more sense than avoiding New York because of September 11. Freak events happen and if nature happens to throw one at wherever you are at any given moment you will suffer the effects. If not for that fact I hate flying (and simply cannot cope with 10+ hour flights) I would dearly love to visit Thailand and would gladly visit there as long as suitable accommodation were available.
Jonny, England

I'm not against getting tourists to go back, as long as the well being of the people that actually live there is the first priority.
Adrian Aguirre, Mexico

A unified tsunami warning system would make tourists more confident of visiting. I am a regular to Phuket and will be returning in April 2005. I have lost friends there and will make a trip to the temple for my own closure. Tourists can turn these areas of sorrow back into the vibrant places they once were.
Andrew Mackland, Hobart, Australia

I feel that for the local economies, and for the local people affected to overcome this great tragedy is for we westerners to return as travellers, well wishers and ambassadors of good will and relations. But I must say that I did find appalling was those holidaymakers basking in the sun on beaches within days and weeks, whilst bodies washed up on the shores. Where is your humanity and human kindness? Why were they not willing to help whereas others flew around the world to help out? Shame on you!
Terry White, Helsinki, Finland

Well it's silly to think it could happen again tomorrow, and I know these poor people need our money and support, but I really could not go and relax on a beach knowing that so many people died, and might still be in the sea or under the sand.
Sue, UK

I'm not against getting tourists to go back, as long as the well being of the people that actually live there is the first priority.
Adrian Aguirre, Mexico

Natural disasters are just that, nature. If we look at places like Mount St Helens before and after a cataclysmic natural disaster we can see more tourists amassing there now then ever before. I think in time curiosity will get the best of us and the tourists will return.
Blake Hanacek, Vancouver, Canada

The best way to lure tourists would be to offer some good travel packages Ariel A. Robles, Chicago, IL, US

I've never been in the area but have always thought it to be a good place to visit. I guess the best way to lure tourists would be to offer some good travel packages.

I myself would not have a problem visiting the area and I would feel good that I am helping stimulate their economy. Maybe by marketing it in that way it would help tourists to realize that by going there, they are actually helping the people from those affected areas. Appeal to their humanitarian side.
Ariel A. Robles, Chicago, IL, US

The tourist must stay away from the Maldives. It is better to change the regime there. No matter how much money tourists spend in the Maldives, the people will remain poor until the West helps them to find new leaders. Gayoom is worse than Saddam.
Mariyam, Dubai, UAE

Can't the governments of the more well off countries like Thailand and the Maldives arrange with the airlines to offer subsidised airfares for a period to encourage people to visit their countries? At least people would be more inclined to visit these places and be spending their cash there, which is what these places need. I for one will continue to visit these places, you can stick your Spain or Greece any day, just give an incentive to people to try it first then word will spread.
Claire T, Cardiff, Wales

Western yobs getting drunk should stay away Jonathan Owen, Cannock, Staffordshire

It really depends on what kind of tourists. Western yobs getting drunk and generally being arrogant and ignorant of the pain surrounding them should stay away. But those who want to genuinely aid the lives of those people effected in a sensible, sensitive and productive manner should certainly go.
Jonathan Owen, Cannock, Staffordshire

I have no problem returning to Phuket or Ko Phi Phi Don provided that there are adequate accommodations. The Thai people currently have their hands full and I am more than happy to help their economy in the form of donations and more importantly, as a tourist!
Brandon, Boston, MA, USA

Attracting tourists will help to rebuild these areas, but I hope that some of the over development in certain parts of Thailand that is damaging to the environment can be avoided. Tourists need to be more sensitive towards the areas that they are visiting.
Ben Smith, Lyon, France

Early warning systems should be installed at once. Tsunamis are not only very rare, but they can also be predicted couple of hours in advance.
Mustafa Yorumcu, UK/Turkey

My heart goes out to these people - but it would be the last place I would ever think of visiting.
Alfie Noakes, North of England, UK

At some point the countries affected will need the tourist to come back. I mean for me it's a tough sell - it would be hard for me to go there, but I suppose some people don't care.
Mike Daly, Miami, FL, USA

Many, many Thai's have lost everything. Tourist dollars will help more than anything else to rebuild their lives. I am sure for every tourist returning home he or she will spread the positive news about how the Thai hospitality has not changed. Day by day I see more tourists already coming to the beaches. I am retired on the wonderful island of Phuket.
Roger, Phuket

I think that most tourists will understand that the tsunami was a horrific anomaly, and that the region is still safe, beautiful and one of the greatest vacation spots in the world.
Joseph Resti, Syracuse, NY, USA

There's absolutely no reason not to go Stephanie, London

There's absolutely no reason not to go, except the very worst-hit areas where recovery works are still underway. I was in Malaysia when the tsunami struck, and in Phuket two weeks later and was amazed and glad to see how quickly it recovered. In fact, if you hadn't known about the tsunami, you would have thought that it was just normal building work being carried out.

People seem to think that there are still bodies lying around amid rubble, but nothing could be further from the truth. Phuket is as beautiful as ever, and if there is somewhere in the world right now where local people deserve spending your holiday money, to me it's places like this.
Stephanie, London

Perhaps all this underlines a reality and lesson: never make your economy too dependent on a vulnerable sector like tourism.
Bruno De Cordier, Ghent, Belgium