LUANG PRABANG, Laos -- Southeast Asian trade ministers meeting in Laos on Thursday played down the effect of an outbreak of a deadly flu-like virus on regional trade, saying they saw the impact on economies as short-term.

The assessments came as tourism operators in key Asian destinations began counting the cost of mass cancellations and the death toll worldwide from the virus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), climbed to more than 80.

Informal talks among the ministers of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a remote mountain resort in northern Laos centered on the SARS outbreak, but they said the disease would hit tourism rather than trade.

"I think we worry only about tourism," Thai Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik, who wore a mask while passing through Bangkok International Airport on his way to Laos, told Reuters. "Trade shouldn't have any difficulties. It's just preventing travelling, but products and goods will continue to travel."

Singapore's Trade Minister George Yeo said the SARS outbreak was likely to hit business travel in Southeast Asia temporarily. "Initially of course there is a certain precaution taken, but trade goes on," Yeo told Reuters. "But if the countries which are less affected are quick to put in measures to contain the problem to prevent its spread, then I think they can spare some unnecessary damage."

Preliminary data from Singapore's Tourism Board showed on Thursday that visitor arrivals to the city state fell 14.8 percent in March from the year-ago period on fears of the deadly virus and the effects of a U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Tourism is one of Singapore's biggest service industries and generates about seven to eight percent of gross domestic product.

Asian economies are feeling the effects of the virus, which has infected more than 2,300 people worldwide, with finance ministers and private economists warning of slower growth ahead as the health scare hits the retail and tourism sectors. (Reuters)