Tourism and the Impact of the Foot and Mouth Epidemic in the UK

SUMMARY

This article aims first to establish an overview of the reactions to the impact on tourism of the Foot and Mouth disease [FMD] and ensuing crisis in the UK leading on to consider the reaction and responses of the Government and leading players. The focus then turns to Scotland to explore and develop the theme of the impact of FMD on rural tourism and the responses of key public sector organisations involved. In furthering the analysis, the author draws on the findings of empirical research undertaken to investigate the actual impact of FMD on tourism enterprises in a rural area of Scotland. The outcomes of this study not only bring into question the impact portrayed through the media but more significantly, raise issues as to the way government agencies and professional organisations involved in tourism responded to the crisis engendered by FMD. In concluding, a number of key lessons are identified.

Key Words:

• Crisis management
• government policy
• rural tourism
• tourism enterprises
• media
• marketing