“The End is Nigh … lock down your house and batten the hatches …. And you MUST buy 10 packs of toilet roll”
Well …. If you read enough social media and sensationalised propaganda thats what you would probably believe – whereas in reality there is nothing but a sense of normality throughout holidaymakers and seasoned travellers as they go about their regular business and travel.
Over the last couple of weeks i have been lucky enough to be throughout Europe on a couple of trips away and on both occasions i wouldn’t have even known there was a serious global health incident unless i had checked news and social media while away. Its very much “business as normal”
Trip 1
I was fortunate to be invited on a ski familiarisation trip by one of our local NI Tour Operators (Travel Solutions) to the resort of Poiana Brasov in Romania. Walking through Dublin Airport there were a few people wearing protective face masks – even though it has been proven that the only people that should wear the masks are those infected by COVID-19 or those in the health industry who have to deal with those that have the virus.
Upon arrival in Bucharest Airport there was no real sign of any panic or preventative measures. In fact the whole stay in Romania – up in a ski resort in the mountains – had no mention or acknowledgement of the virus …. Again it was only when you checked online and read the news or on your social media feeds would you even have recalled what was going on around the world.
Flying back into Dublin was a different story – the airport have rightly invested in a lot of signage and posters throughout arrivals, right from the moment you get into the terminal, through security and also at baggage claim – detailing the basic measures and procedures to prevent the spread. Simple information communicated correctly that avoids the need for panic. I was impressed by this and they even had a “hot desk” set up where you could get any questions answered.
Trip 2
A few days later i was off to the sunshine island of Lanzarote (that pesky Holiday NInja and his annoyingly great holiday offers!) for a few days rest and relaxation. Belfast International Airport felt as normal as ever with customers ready for their trips and holidays – NI folk have a true resilience about their holidays and you get the impression it would take more than the current situation to stop them from reaching the sun!
It was only when you were sat on your seat in the plane did you remember the current situation as the air steward onboard the easyJet flight acknowledged the current climate with the virus and urged everyone to maintain basic hygiene requirements – i.e ensuring hands were properly washed, coughing and sneezing advice, etc
In Lanzarote itself i spoke with other holidaymakers who were defiantly adamant that they would not let a “flu like virus affect their holidays in the sun” – you get the impression that its clear the actual knowledge, truth and facts on everything varies from person to person.
I also spoke with the general manager of the hotel resort and they said that they had not really seen any difference in their own bookings as of yet – maybe only a 2-3% drop off from cancellations / re-bookings. Of course this would be different to many other parts of the world where hotels are suffering badly (like many other industries) as bookings are cancelled.
After 4 days of bliss in the sun it was time for home – on the day Italy went into lockdown and all travel to and from the country was stopping for a while. Again the announcement on the easyJet flight was read out (about simple personal hygiene) and before i knew it i was back in Belfast and in the car on the way home. There is some signage in BIA on the CoronaVirus as you approach and go through security but nothing that would stop you in your tracks.
There is no denying that this a very serious health issue at present throughout the world – however the sensationalised coverage (especially on social media) does not reflect what it’s truly like to travel at the moment.
I know people that have cancelled holidays, trips away and travel plans based on the hyperbole around this global issue. And there are obviously some areas that are badly affected by this – the situation particularly in Italy is frightening – and everyone should give proper consideration no matter where they are travelling to / from (especially the elderly and those with existing health issues). However the simple fact is that it’s completely safe to travel for the vast majority of the population
The one BIG positive surrounding this issue is that there are 100s of incredible holiday offers up for grabs as travel companies and tour operators try to shift stock that has been cancelled – for example the amount of simply unbelievable holiday deals in late April / May at the moment is staggering – a week in Tenerife in early May for £250pp?! Err yes sign me up!! Id certainly recommend you give your local travel agency a call and see what they can do for you.
At this time, the risk of contracting the virus from undertaking flights or visiting most countries of the world is known to be minimal. It is understandably wise to avoid regions where there is a very significant amount of cases being reported but, for most destinations, the risk remains very small.
Its impossible to predict the future and how things will progress in the coming weeks / months, and I really hope they improve quickly for all our sakes – but AT THE MOMENT i would be advising you get away on your holidays that you have booked – its completely safe to travel!!
Do not let fear drive your decisions, let the facts drive your decisions!!
