As the scientific community works to understand the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, travel advisers are finding their workloads increasing.
Customers spooked by stories of stranded passengers want to know how they will manoeuvre around rapidly evolving travel bans, border closings and new restrictions ahead of what was expected to be a bustling holiday season. “Every single trip on the books has been a call,” GTC Tzell travel adviser David Waldes says. “They’re looking for guidance.”
Unfortunately for antsy clients, advisers don’t have much information to offer yet. Some are telling customers to wait and see how the research on Omicron develops – and how countries respond – before cancelling or changing itineraries.
Working with a travel adviser can be one way to help safeguard your travel plans; it is their job to stay current on restrictions and manage unexpected obstacles. But even without a professional, the everyday traveller can take plenty of measures to protect a trip.
Even if you are feeling confident about travel restrictions for the destination you are visiting soon, “everything is day by day,” said Maurice Smith, a luxury travel adviser and CEO of Eugene Toriko travel agency. Places that are unrestricted today may come with lengthy quarantines tomorrow. People are still fighting to get their money back from early pandemic travel upsets. Many companies have built in more flexibility to change or cancel reservations to encourage a rebound in business, but some are going back to their pre-Covid policies. So beware: not all bookings will be easy to change or cancel without a financial penalty.
As far as your airfare goes, “many airlines offer airline e-credits if you have to postpone your trip,” said Cheryl Nelson, a travel preparedness expert and owner of Prepare with Cher, in an email. “We all deserve a vacation, so think about just postponing your trip, rather than cancelling it.” Opt for booking flights with airlines you know you can use again.
Source: IOL
In other news – Scorpion Kings to perform in Nigeria for the first time
DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small who are known to be Scorpion Kings, will be performing in Nigeria for the first time as a duo.
The King of Amapiano announced on social media, sharing a video which revealed details about the event. Learn more
