Travellers advised to defer Europe, US trips
With swine flu now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), travel agents and tour operators in India are advising travellers to defer their travel plans to affected areas.
By Ravi Teja Sharma, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: With swine flu now declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), travel agents and tour operators in India are advising travellers to defer their travel plans to affected areas. ���We are asking them to postpone their plans if possible. It is a risk and we are advising against taking it,��� says Rajji Rai, president of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
Over the past couple of months outbound travel by Indians, particularly to the US and European markets, has dipped by 15-20% owing to swine flu fears, say travel industry sources. The official declaration by WHO could make things worse since these two markets make up over 50% of outbound travel from India.
Agents now are offering alternative destination options. ���Instead of affected areas such as the US and Europe, we are offering them packages for the Far East and the Middle East,��� says Ankush Nijhawan, managing director of the Nijhawan Group. The consequent impact on outbound leisure traffic to US & European destinations is a 10-15% dip.
President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Vijay Thakur says, yesterday���s announcement will have an impact on outbound leisure traffic but it will be at best a short-term one. ���Many people who do not want to cancel their leisure travel plan completely are opting for domestic holidays,��� says Thakur who also owns India Vision Tours & Travels. His firm is advising travellers to either postpone international travel plans or instead go for a domestic trip. Before the news of swine flu began trickling in, outbound travel from India was reeling under effects of the global recession, and business was already down 10-15% according to Thakur.
���While there have not been any cancellations so far, customers are aware of the situation. The WHO is also not recommending travel restrictions. We are advising customers on the do���s and don���ts of travel overseas and there is no reason to panic,��� says Arup Sen, executive director, Cox and Kings India. ���If customers intend to switch destinations we are advising them accordingly.���
Over the past couple of months outbound travel by Indians, particularly to the US and European markets, has dipped by 15-20% owing to swine flu fears, say travel industry sources. The official declaration by WHO could make things worse since these two markets make up over 50% of outbound travel from India.
Agents now are offering alternative destination options. ���Instead of affected areas such as the US and Europe, we are offering them packages for the Far East and the Middle East,��� says Ankush Nijhawan, managing director of the Nijhawan Group. The consequent impact on outbound leisure traffic to US & European destinations is a 10-15% dip.
President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Vijay Thakur says, yesterday���s announcement will have an impact on outbound leisure traffic but it will be at best a short-term one. ���Many people who do not want to cancel their leisure travel plan completely are opting for domestic holidays,��� says Thakur who also owns India Vision Tours & Travels. His firm is advising travellers to either postpone international travel plans or instead go for a domestic trip. Before the news of swine flu began trickling in, outbound travel from India was reeling under effects of the global recession, and business was already down 10-15% according to Thakur.
���While there have not been any cancellations so far, customers are aware of the situation. The WHO is also not recommending travel restrictions. We are advising customers on the do���s and don���ts of travel overseas and there is no reason to panic,��� says Arup Sen, executive director, Cox and Kings India. ���If customers intend to switch destinations we are advising them accordingly.���
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