US President Barack Obama has announced that Gulf Coast beaches are open for business and is urging American citizens to visit the area. Mr Obama is taking a short holiday in the region with his wife and one of his daughters to highlight the fact that Florida’s beaches have not been affected by the recent oil spill as much as many perceive.

Tourism is extremely important to Florida’s economy and the oil spill has caused many to look elsewhere for their holidays. Mr Obama was keen to stress that, because of recent clean-up efforts; the beaches were clean and safe.

The President also confirmed that he would be maintaining pressure on BP, the oil giant who contracted the Deepwater Horizon rig which exploded on 20 April this year, and would continue fighting on behalf of those who deserve compensation because of the oil spill. He added that it was unacceptable for there to be any delay in payouts to those who had lost their livelihoods because of the disaster.

BP claims that efforts to plug the oil leak have worked well and that its method of pumping large quantities of mud and cement into the hole has stemmed the flow of oil. BP will be given permission to finish the job as soon as soon as a number of tests have been completed.

Once the tests are done, drilling can resume. However it will take four days, at least, before a relief well can be drilled. Bad weather in the Gulf means that drilling has been suspended for the time being.