Coronavirus putting you off booking 13 February 2020 at 8:50AM in Coronavirus Travel Help & Info 20 replies 1.2K views

longwalks1

We usually travel to Thailand in October each year to stay with friends and holiday.  There are always a large amount of Chinese tourists in the resorts, and we’ve always noticed a lack of hygiene/manners when coughing or sneezing, every time we go. Obviously now things have changed massively (I think this is just the tip of a very hidden iceberg)

has the threat/concern of Coronavirus put you off booking an overseas holiday later in the year this year? 

slinga

Cancelled holiday in Penang, should have flown today.

Should be flying to Singapore in September, we'll wait and see how things develop.

badger09

NO
I'm flying to Australia next week on 2 planes full of different nationalities, all of whom could have some sort of virus.
Then on a cruise ship around New Zealand - again with multiple nationalities & potential contagious/infectious diseases.

At the end of March I'll be on another cruise ship - with mostly brits, some of whom will not have my high standards of personal hygiene. And again in November.

I will visit my son in Hong Kong at least once this year, despite the ongoing protests and threat of coronavirus, as I have done every year since he started working there in 2012.

I may also travel elsewhere.

I may not have many years left when I'm still able to travel long haul, so, in short short, unless FO advises against travel to certain destinations, I will not live my life based on what if  ....??. 

Doshwaster

I go to SE Asia most Octobers and would normally have flights booked by now but I'm just waiting to see what happens. Hopefully in a few months it will have all gone away but it could also get much worse.

stueyhants

slinga said:

Cancelled holiday in Penang, should have flown today.

Should be flying to Singapore in September, we'll wait and see how things develop.

I’m going to Penang in about 6 weeks time. Unless the FCO ban travel I’m not cancelling. It is slightly worrying but it’s all about risk, I’ve probably got a higher chance of dying getting to the hotel using the various modes of transport than from a a virus. However I can understand why for some people it maybe a risk that’s not acceptable

comeandgo

it is all about risk and with a small risk of catching it and a smaller risk of dying ill still holiday.  If I had an illness or compromised immune system I don't think I'd go.  Wonder if travel insurance to some places will go up.  

Ganga

comeandgo said:

it is all about risk and with a small risk of catching it and a smaller risk of dying ill still holiday.  If I had an illness or compromised immune system I don't think I'd go.  Wonder if travel insurance to some places will go up.  

Bet it does if you want to go to China!

eDicky

An old friend of mine in Bangkok is dying of cancer, he advised me not to come visit... Laugh or cry, everything is relative, COVID19 has only about 2% death rate, same as flu..? I don't have delicate health or fragile immunity so of course I will go...

maman

I agree about taking FCO advice and considering your own general health. 
I wanted to post because my experience of Chinese is very different to the OP. I live a few hundred yards from a hall of residence which is mostly full of Chinese students. In my experience they are immaculately clean, beautifully dressed and many of them habitually wear face masks (because of air pollution?). Of course, they will be the children of very wealthy Chinese (to be able to afford large fees and living costs) but they've given me a very positive impression.

silvercar

Have flights booked for Malaysia and Singapore in June. Will wait and see what develops. Flights are cancellable but I'm reluctant to book hotels at this stage. 

slinga

silvercar said:

Have flights booked for Malaysia and Singapore in June. Will wait and see what develops. Flights are cancellable but I'm reluctant to book hotels at this stage. 

Most or rather many hotels will not require immediate payment.

A lot will allow free cancellation up to a week before arrival.

They will tell you what their policy is if you ask them.