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Post by Humph on Mar 10, 2020 8:35:52 GMT
In the grand scheme of things I’m the first to admit that this is a trivial thing. But, I’m pondering on whether to risk booking a summer holiday at the moment. We normally favour taking the car and bikes to France, and renting a cottage or static mobile home.
I suspect that I should hold off for now, both because it may be difficult due to potential travel restrictions and indeed the possibility of business difficulties which may arise and require urgent attention.
Must potentially be going to have a devastating effect on the holiday/tourism industry.
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Post by Alanović on Mar 10, 2020 8:47:03 GMT
We booked months ago. Villa in France in July, driving down with bikes. Will rely on travel insurance if we can't go. Also got a trip booked to Zakynthos over Easter, no idea if that'll happen. Trip to Cardiff this weekend for the rugby in a bit of doubt, too.
Hey ho.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 10, 2020 8:58:12 GMT
We've got a trip to Greece in May and wonder what will happen. Nothing we can do about it.
We were in Athens and on the Peloponnese at the start of the month and wondered how this was all going to pan out then. Looks like we didn't avoid it getting bad in the UK - obviously already bad elsewhere in Europe.
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Post by tyrednexited on Mar 10, 2020 8:59:14 GMT
Will rely on travel insurance if we can't go. ...check the small print. Some policies will cover cancellation under such circumstances, some won't (even if the Government advice is not to travel). We were considering heading off to Iceland in June, but SWMBO's arm injury rather put that on the back-burner. (recovering, but slowly). Every cloud has a silver lining.  As far as using the motorcaravan is concerned, then we rarely book very much in advance (and even then, only a ferry-crossing). Being almost entirely flexible (apart from the arm - see what I did there!) we'll just sit things out until it all settles down (or we die!). |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Mar 10, 2020 11:59:55 GMT
There’s a panel in today’s Guardian devoted to such what-ifs. The online version is here: www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/09/shopping-travel-events-what-coronavirus-means-for-consumersTravel businesses seem to be trying to reassure. I have an email today from Air France KLM, offering zero change fees until 31 May. It doesn’t mention the virus but it’s easy to see what prompted it. Since an AF change fee is only £60, and I’d still have to pay the difference in fare if I changed, it’s not likely to change my mind about the New York trip, but it shows the way things are going. |
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 10, 2020 18:22:25 GMT
Airlines seem to be making sizeable cuts to their timetables for the coming weeks. IIRC Lufthansa are planning to suspend half of their operations?!
This is affecting them hugely, and I think they are battening down the hatches for months of disruption.
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Post by bromptonaut on Mar 10, 2020 18:33:48 GMT
We've booked a cottage on Harris for a fortnight in May/June. Should be OK unless we get Italian style movement restrictions. I cannot see how that could work in a compact and densely populated country like UK where we all dash hither and thither in course of ordinary work.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 10, 2020 19:30:22 GMT
It looked like earlier my stepson was going to get stuck for a bit in Rome. Jet2's website said the outgoing flight was cancelled... but it wasn't. They have cancelled all flights now until April 26th (Jet2 that is) but he got on the return. He was advised to stay at home for 14 days.
I assume those who are UK residents and now still in Italy, some repatriation will be in order with the airlines contacting them.
This has moved on quite quickly hasn't it in 2 weeks.
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 10, 2020 20:02:30 GMT
And my bet is that other European countries will copy Italy in about 2 week’s time...
And then the Easter holidays will kick off and everyone will go and visit friends and family which will help spread the virus further 😬
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EspadaIII
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Post by EspadaIII on Mar 10, 2020 20:23:03 GMT
Given the hordes who normally arrive in Israel for Easter and Passover, the effective closure of the border to everyone will devastate the tourism industry.
And Lord knows how Italy will cope...
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Mar 10, 2020 22:18:29 GMT
No restrictions on movement within the Vatican, apparently.
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Post by tyrednexited on Mar 10, 2020 22:45:24 GMT
....night-life's not up to much, though.....
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 11, 2020 0:16:41 GMT
Step-son was going to visit the Vatican on his trip to Rome.... closed to visitors/tourists.
So on another tangent.... if you or I was in contact with someone who had tested positive we'd be expected to be in quarantine at the very least.... So what happens to Boris and co having been in contact with Nadine Dorries?
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Post by Humph on Mar 11, 2020 9:04:37 GMT
It's having an effect on all manner in of businesses. A friend who has shops in central London was telling me yesterday that they are running 35% down this week. Shortage of overseas tourists seems to be the main cause. At those sorts of costs it's not sustainable for long...
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Mar 11, 2020 9:28:45 GMT
I spent my day off last Friday in London, although not in the centre. New ticket rules (and a birthday dinner to get home for) meant I had to be on the 1556 train out of Paddington, which I made with two minutes to spare. That would usually mean standing in the aisle at least as far as Slough, but it was barely half-full.
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