Mr. Figgins has come up with a list all people should consider before travelling:
- Are you comfortable travelling at the moment?
- Research your destination. This includes the latest information on infection rates in the country or region you are planning on visiting.
- Research the infrastructure and the health system of the country or region you are travelling to. Are they able to cope with a spike in infections?
- Know who within your travelling party might be at higher risk?
- Know who at home might be at higher risk when you return from your travels?
- Consider if you can afford to be quarantined or self-isolated, should the situation change suddenly.
- What viable alternatives for travel are open to you?
- Does your insurance policy cover you for coronavirus?
- Are you able to evacuate if necessary? What does the evacuation plan involve?
- What preparations do you have in place for returning home safely?
My two-cents worth follows......
Insurance must ensure and assure travellers that their costs can be recovered in the event of cancellations.
IMO, the fear and anxiety for travellers will not dissipate in the foreseeable future and travel insurance may not be available and affordable for many groups of travellers (50/60/70+yrs of age). These age groups are the most important to the leisure travel industry and travellers may not be prepared to risk travel without suitable insurance.
Countries (destinations) may need to consider some form of 'C' insurance (ref: Cyprus) that covers the costs should travellers be tested Pos. or be ill from it. Cruise Lines may need to 'self-insure' to encourage passengers (built into cost or as a 'costly' extra). Airlines and Tour Operators could also include 'solid' coverage (trust accounts?) in order to attract business. Government regulations for sellers of travel will need to be reviewed and strengthened based on recent experiences with defaults and delayed payments to forward/early booking travellers.
Travellers will not want to risk the costs of...….. denial of boarding for air, sea & land travel for themselves and their families, friends or partner in their group for time spent in quarantine in a foreign country / medical costs / repatriation costs et al. Will this be available and guaranteed by Government regulations.
Early bookings may see a dramatic fall due to the risk in getting cancellation refunds from Tour Operators, Cruise Lines and Airlines. Last minute bookings may seem safer so pricing of these must be considered and could be a growth area for future travel.
No more 'spin' ...….travel business operators need to 'think like a traveller' e.g. "would I risk travelling without sufficient and affordable insurance coverage." Tourism Offices need to be realistic and not be blinded by the spin.
Many travel businesses will not recover and for most recovery will take time. Retailers, Wholesalers and DMOs may not see their historical profit margins but direct bookings will probably see some healthy growth.
If we work more closely together we will experience synergy - 2+2=5 and our clients will again be comfortable and confident of travelling with us again.
These are a few of my thoughts from my idle mind. I would appreciate your input based on reality....not hope.
www.thetoptravelclub.com is still open for FOC listed links from tour and travel businesses but is not anticipating any membership or affiliate sales for the foreseeable future..... but it makes sense to BE PREPARED!
Looking forward to Happy Trails in the future.
Tony Humphrey, Top Hand at The Top Travel Club.