EFFORTS are underway to attract more British people to Swindon and Wiltshire next year following a drop in American visitors as a result of the September 11 atrocities.

Wiltshire Tourism says some Americans have cancelled trips in the run up to Christmas because they are fearful of flying after the terrorist attacks.

Dot Williams, manager of Wiltshire Tourism, said there was no indication yet if next season's overseas tourism trade had been affected.

She said: "We just don't know how next season will turn out.

"The situation tends to affect people who fly long haul. If we don't have any more atrocities or bombings, hopefully the overseas markets will re-appear."

Wiltshire was due to be promoted to potential tourists at the launch of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in New York last month, but the event was cancelled.

Much of the hit movie was filmed on location in the county at Lacock,

However, a meeting between tourism bosses and journalists in New York is due to be arranged for early next year.

Before the terrorist atrocities of September 11, tourism chiefs were making a renewed push to attract American tourists after foot and mouth disease had affected the business.

Swindon itself was benefiting from a boom in tourism, helped by attractions such as the Designer Outlet Village and Steam.

Spending by tourists in Swindon increased by 75 per cent between 1997 and 2000 and tourism-related employment increased by 85 per cent during the same period.

Visitor spending now generates £216m a year for the local economy.

In the same period, there were more than four million day visitors to Swindon involving people living 20 or more miles away, and 544,000 visitors staying more than one day.

Wiltshire Tourism has now increased the number of Welcome to Wiltshire brochures from 60,000 to 100,000 as part of its drive to bring more people in.

The county as a whole usually receives about 250,000 foreign visitors a year.

www.visitswindon.co.uk