Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/14/2010 -- Earlier travel warnings issued by France which also saw several US citizens evacuate the northern-dominated desert regions of Burkina Faso have impacted tourism in the country and its neighbours.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have all had tourism in their desert regions plummet as a result of the threat. These countries’ northern regions are close to the areas in Mali and Niger where militants are known to operate. Nearby Mauritania has also been caught up in the up tick in violence frequently.

The areas under fears of attacks by Islamists have been declared off-limits for U.S. government employees and late last week, the embassy evacuated its citizens, mainly Peace Corps volunteers, from the north to the capital, Ouagadougou citing threats of terrorism in Mali and Niger.

Similarly the French foreign ministry had also earlier warned its citizens against travelling to Burkina Faso's far north.

Burkina Faso is the latest West Africa nation to face the threat of al Qaeda's North African wing, where several kidnappings of foreigners and attacks on isolated soldiers seem to be on the rise.

Burkina Faso is safe

Reacting to threats late Thursday, Alain Yoda, the country’s foreign minister said "Burkina Faso is safe. Our security measures have, up until now, have shown that they are effective."

"I can reassure you, we do not know of any particular security problems today in Burkina Faso so, naturally, we are very happy. But we must of course allow everyone to take the precautions they deem necessary" he added.