Backlash expected to hit UK industry

Hoteliers and restaurateurs in the UK are bracing themselves for a further business backlash following this week's crash of an American Airlines jet in New York.

The Airbus A300, with 255 people on board, crashed in the Queens area of the city at 9.17am on Monday (12 November). It was flying out of New York to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

The disruption to businesses, particularly those in London, could be severe.

London's Dorchester hotel relies heavily on the US tourism industry, with almost half (48%) of its guests being from the USA.

Gillian Greenwood, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, had just returned from New York, where she had been on a sales mission with general manager David Wilkinson.

She said: "London is in serious trouble. Everyone will be affected."

Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "London hotels were beginning to pick up. This sort of incident is bound to make things worse."

Markly Wilson, director of the New York State division of tourism, was in London at the World Travel Market exhibition when he heard the news.

He insisted New York should remain a popular tourist destination. "We'd still like you to visit and enjoy New York," he said.