TOUR operator John Owen Travel, based in Havelock Street, Swindon, says that despite all the fears about war, SARs, forest fires or even the first decent British summer in donkey's years, business is booming.

Despite industry-wide predictions of doom and gloom, managing director Richard Hobden says his company is trading 10 per cent ahead of last year.

"People look at me pityingly and ask me how things are going, and I tell them things are going very well," he said.

Mr Hobden added: "There really are still loads of people travelling."

In addition, he attributes his company's continuing success to the growth in use of the world wide web.

He said: "A lot of customers are getting disenchanted with the whole experience of booking holidays over the internet and are coming back to us for personal service.

"People are starting to want the full package again, with after sales service, which is what we offer," he said.