By Gina Storey
Well, this week has been a whirlwind.
As you can imagine we have been helping our clients booked to travel in the next few weeks that are stopping or connecting through the Middle East.
We have been able to rebook clients on alternative airlines flying via other routes. Most of our clients are taking the ‘wait and see’ approach including myself – I’m booked to head off to Europe in May connecting over Dubai.
We are constantly monitoring what is happening.
We use our industry websites and contacts rather than social media and streaming services who seem to be posting some inaccurate information, the joys of the 24 hour news cycle.
As we go to press it is only people travelling in March that are affected. This may change and we will keep our clients updated.
A number of people who have booked online have popped in for advice, we are happy to make suggestions however airlines do not allow us to get involved once a ticket has been issued through another company.
We urge our clients to get in touch with us with any queries.
We are here to help. Interestingly, Singapore and Hong Kong are back in fashion to stopover!
A few people have quipped that this may be a great year to go to Europe because the Americans might not.
If you are booked to travel over the Middle East what should you do – contact your travel adviser for a chat.
We can give you different options and let you know what is the current situation for travel and what the industry saying.
Here is a quote from Dean Long the CEO of ATIA – the Australian Travel Industry Association:
“There are plenty of safe ways to get to Europe and the aviation sector has and will continue to adapt. Asia is open and operating. We have flights coming out of the Middle East. There will be some delays and a bit more disruption than what we’re used to but no one in the travel industry is going to put you in a place where it’s unsafe.”
“Importantly, do not cancel. Whether you are booked to travel in the next weeks or planning to travel in coming months. If you’re booked to go shortly via the Middle East, it is critical that you do not panic-cancel but rather wait for your airline to cancel as otherwise you are erasing all of your rights of a refund or rebook. If your trip is in the next couple of months, talk to your accredited travel agent as there are plenty of alternates.”
This is a situation the industry has navigated before. Twelve months ago, a 12-day conflict in the Middle East caused disruption and the travel industry resolved it quickly.
Please contact us if you are concerned, we are here to help.
Travelling Places P: 07 5545 1600. E: travel@travellingplaces.com.au
