Six Forum: London's tourist crisis

Sandra Elliott from the London Tourist Board answered your questions in the Six O'clock Forum, presented by Manisha Tank.

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War, terrorism and disease are playing havoc with the UK's tourist industry - and London is being hit particularly hard.

Scares at British airports and the discovery of the deadly poison Ricin in a North London flat are being blamed for tourists staying away.

The capital's hotels have been suffering since 2001's foot and mouth outbreak. In March, occupancy rates dropped to 67 per cent.

West End theatre is also losing out, with many shows closing early and others facing empty seats at the weekend.

Speaking before the conflict in Iraq, London's Mayor Ken Livingstone said war would cost the capital £1 billion in lost tourism, and result in 46,000 job losses.

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