Evaluate the effect of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak of 2001 on rural tourism in the UK.

... Evaluate the effect of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak of 2001 on rural tourism in the UK. "The tourism industry is one of the most susceptible and vulnerable industries to crises" (Santana, 2003) The tourism industry has experienced many disastrous incidents which have heightened public interest and awareness of the risks associated with certain activities and places. One highly publicised event is the September 11th terrorist attacks which imposed panic among travellers fearful of repeat attacks. This impacted heavily on all tourism sectors such as global air travel as fewer people chose to travel. Nationally, the UK has experienced its own crises in the form of epidemics the most recent of which, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), has created extensive implications for both agricultural and tourism sectors. This essay will examine the effect that FMD has had on rural tourism in the UK beginning with a brief introduction to the virus and the extent to

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