THE war in Iraq and the deadly SARS syndrome have led to a fall in the number of overseas visitors to Worcester, tourist chiefs believe.

But the city could see an increase in the number of British tourists looking for holidays closer to home.

Compared with last year, Worcester Tourist Information Centre has seen a noticeable fall in the number of overseas requests for visitor guides, said manager Michelle Phillips.

But at the same time there had been more inquiries from the UK.

"I don't know for certain that it's to do with the war, but there has certainly been a change," she said.

At Royal Worcester, Amanda Savidge said it was not seeing the usual number of overseas visitors for the time of year.

Coach tours planned for Japanese visitors in the next three months had been cancelled, possibly due to worries about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

"I have been approached by American tour companies asking us to discount our prices in an effort to encourage American visitors to travel," she said.

On the other hand, there had been a "phenomenal" amount of interest from British coach and travel agents at a recent trade travel fair in Birmingham, she said.

David Chill, general manager of the Fownes Hotel, on City Walls Road, said he had noticed a change during the build-up to the war in January and February, when businesses were reluctant to commit to advance bookings.

"But now the war is upon us, we are as busy as we normally are at this time of year," he said.

Bewdley's West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, which opened for the season on March 15, has just enjoyed the best three weeks in its history.

Graham Bond, of the Heart of England Tourist Board, said strong visitor numbers could be due to Britons "making more day trips and visiting friends and relatives".