The ETC has welcomed Tony Blair's urge for members of parliament to spend their Easter holidays in the UK, letting the world know that many rural tourism operators remain open. Additionally, the government has issued guidelines to visitors on how to visit rural areas without increasing the risk of foot and mouth disease spreading, by visiting the countryside but staying off farmland. Blair told the British Chamber of Commerce yesterday that there was no trace of foot and mouth in the majority of the UK, and if people adopt a common sense point of view, there is no reason why the countryside should be out of bounds. With the Easter break nearing, the government and the tourism industry hope to open as many attractions as possible and get visitors back to rural areas through the reinforced messages that the countryside is open for business. Chief executive of the ETC, Mary Lynch, welcomes the governmental advice: These latest guidelines will bolster the message that there is still plenty to do in England, despite the foot and mouth outbreak. We expect more and more attractions and other places to visit will be open in time for the Easter holidays, which is great news for everyone. The ETC's information hotline (0870 2415659) has taken a 'vast' amount of calls since its launch a fortnight ago, showing that tourists do still want to visit the country.