Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, June 11
Tour bookings for Japan, US picking up despite H1N1 flu concernsSINGAPORE: The World Health Organisation (WHO) may be close to declaring a global H1N1 pandemic, but some Singaporeans are still going ahead with holiday plans to affected areas.
Travel agents said bookings are coming back for tours to America and Japan — two countries listed as affected areas by the Ministry of Health.
There had been initial cancellations to Japan during the Influenza A virus outbreak.
Ivy Tan, director of Marketing & Communications, Chan Brothers Travel, said: "In end—May, we had a big tour group of over 70 passengers. They are mainly working executives, singles, not families with children.
"Singaporeans are more educated over the over—hyped severity of the flu and are aware that the flu is mild, just like the common flu. And travelling is definitely on the cards as long as it's done with vigilance."
CTC Holidays said about 80 per cent of their customers are still flying to Japan for holidays, including affected districts in Kobe and Osaka.
"Passengers who are cancelling and postponing their trips are mainly parents with young children. Those who are going ahead are mainly working adults and even maybe families with older children, like teenagers," said Alicia Seah, senior VP of Marketing at CTC Holidays.
But both companies have seen cancellations for trips to Australia, especially Melbourne, which is one of the cities with a growing number of H1N1 cases.
Travel agents said those still flying to the city are mainly visiting friends and relatives. The two firms also said they are providing masks and hand sanitisers for travellers on group tours, especially to affected areas.
They also advise travellers to have flu jabs and buy comprehensive travel insurance before flying. — CNA /ls
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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