Commonwealth tourism ministers are being urged to be more "sensitive and sympathetic" in issuing travel warnings, an issue which has split rich and poor nations in the 54-member grouping.
A draft background document circulated to delegates says many developing member countries feel that travel advisories often overstate possible problems.

It says the warnings are "insufficiently current or flexible to give truly reliable help" to travellers.
"Commonwealth member states may wish to consider adopting an approach to travel advisories which is more sensitive and sympathetic towards destinations, while not compromising the safety of travel of their own nationals," it said.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon says it is crucial for members to cooperate on security issues.
He is urging ministers to develop "common strategies particularly with regards to travel advisories."
He says tourism represents a huge growth potential for the group of former British colonies with a total 1.7 billion people.

It is an important tool to fight poverty in many small states and African nations.
He says international tourist arrivals have surged from 25 million a year in 1950 to almost 703 million in 2002, with 20 per cent of the activity taking place in Commonwealth countries.
African nations such as Kenya and Tanzania, as well as host Malaysia, are critical of travel warnings issued by rich members Britain, Australia and Canada.
The countries say they are the wrong tools and have hurt the economies of the targeted countries. ( * ABC News)