"Most of the destinations in tsunami-hit countries are safe and optimal to go," World Tourism Organization (WTO) chief said in Phuket on Monday.

WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli told that tourists are scared by images of the disaster and have been keeping themselves away from tsunami-hit countries.

Some travelers even canceled trips to Bali Island, Indonesia, a place far from the tsunami-hit areas, he said, pointing out to the fact that a lack of geographic knowledge has worsened the tourists' scare.

"In large countries like India and Indonesia, situations are quite different even within one country," he said.

Frangialli, who attends a one-day WTO task force meeting held here, described as "not rational" the decision of not going to safe places.

The meeting is preparing for the WTO Executive Council's first ever emergency meeting called after the tsunami disaster which killed about 280,000 people in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.

"Travelers should consult the professional travel agency and get informed of the real situation of the travel destination", he said, adding media has the responsibility to tell people the real situation, he said.

Representatives, including government ministers, from 40-odd countries and regions as well as organizations are expected to attend the WTO Executive Council's emergency meeting on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2005)