'Cowards' fight back
From Mr Fred Butzen Sir: With regard to Simon Heffer's complaint (`Cowardy custards in the home of the brave', 9 February) that Americans are not travelling to Great Britain, it should be noted that tourism from Europe to the USA has also fallen greatly. According to the US Office of Travel and Tourism, The initial deep collapse in international travel to the USA in September 2001 is unsurpassed. Key factors for the deep fall in travel are directly related to the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pennsylvania (New York, Virginia & Pennsylvania) and the ensuing conflict.'
Why not just acknowledge the truth? Money is tight and the international situation is uncertain; people — Americans and non-Americans alike — prefer to stay close to home.
As for Mr Heffer's point that the film Black Hawk Down was rushed into production to cash in on the post-11 September mood in the USA; if that bothers him, I suggest that he takes it up with the film's director, Ridley Scott, who is a fellow Briton.
Fred Butzen Chicago, Illinois, USA
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