Covid-19
Whatever your views on the coronavirus called Covid-19 there is no denying it has affected travel plans. I am not entering into the myth vs fact debate here nor am I about to quote some panic-inducing stats. What I will look at is how the current Covid-19 panic is affecting travel plans.
FCO and insurance
The question many are asking is whether travel insurance covers you if you decide to cancel your holiday because of the Covid-19 virus. Travel insurance companies rely on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice to decide whether you are covered by cancellation insurance. If the FCO advises against travel to any particular country, region or city then you are covered. Some airlines and holiday companies are prepared to let you change your bookings without charge but that is it unless the FCO advises against travel.
Airlines
Tour operators and accommodation providers
Accommodation providers and tour operators are being hit particularly hard as the number of bookings are down. People are looking at staycations or other unaffected destinations. This is particularly acute in countries and regions where Covid-19 has been reported. This tweet from Hotel Giorgione pleading for visitors is typical.
Venice is alive and well...the sun still shine on our lagoon and give us the strenght...come here...come to us...everything is ok and we are waiting for you...#venice #nofear #sunshine #magic pic.twitter.com/SNubROhxeo
— Hotel Giorgione (@hotelgiorgione) March 3, 2020