Travel Agencies Fielding Calls About Coronavirus
Trending
WHEELING -- Workers at local travel agencies said although they're fielding questions and concerns from customers dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, the majority of them still seem to be following through with their travel plans -- especially to domestic locations.
Jennifer Elias, office manager with the Wheeling-based travel agency Uni-Globe Ohio Valley Travel, said some of their customers are starting to ask questions about how the coronavirus might be affecting specific destinations, but for the most part they are still keeping their travel plans through the agency for trips on bus tours and boat cruises.
"We've had a few calls of concern, but they end up keeping their trip anyway. … The only cancellations that we've seen are people who are currently booked to Italy," Elias explained.
She said Uni-Globe currently doesn't have clients traveling to China, where the disease was first detected in late December. She said some customers have called the agency asking for recommendations on whether to follow through with their travel plans.
"From our group -- motorcoach tours, cruises, baseball tours, theater shows, and even the individual side of cruises, land packages -- we have not seen any effect beside a few phone calls," she explained. "Our recommendation is always just to say, 'It's your vacation, (whatever) you are comfortable with.'"
She said for customers who are trying to book a trip to an "affected area" like China or Italy, their recommendation right now is "don't go if you don't have to." Elias added their travel agency relies on information put out by "travel leaders" in the travel industry.
"We go off of them knowing that they are valuable resources. They are also following and tracking it," she said.
The agency also relies on information put out by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Uni-Globe Travel Agent Jenna Bickford said most of the advisories being put out there is mostly for "non-essential" travelers taking vacations to affected areas around the world.
"It's not necessarily a ban, they're just recommending to maybe change your plans or reconsider," Bickford said. "At this point there is no need to ruin your vacation. If you're worried about it, one of the important stages of vacation is planning your vacation. … If you're not going to be excited for your vacation, then maybe just hold off until it kind of dies down," she added. "I think we've had only one cancellation so far, just because of worry."
Jim Garrity, a spokesman for AAA East Central, said his agency has been receiving calls all week with concerns dealing with coronavirus. He said this is one of those times it's good to have a travel agent. He said travel agents are fielding calls everywhere.
"We remind travelers to stay informed. … People should follow the rules the CDC is putting out," Garrity explained.
Even with all of the calls, he said his agency is seeing few cancellations. He said it is a situation where many times people don't want to cancel their trips, they may just want to change where they are going.
"We want them to be informed and be vigilant about where they are traveling," he added.
The U.S. Department of State suggests people should check for travel advisories at travel.state.gov.