Coronavirus fallout cont

LAST month saw a 75% decline in hotel occupancy in mainland China from 14 to 26 Jan due to coronavirus, STR has found.

A preliminary hotel performance impact showed that mainland China’s occupancy, at 70% on 14 Jan, fell all the way to just 17% on the final day of the analysis, 26 Jan.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) also noted it was liaising with the Qld Government and Tourism and Events Queensland among others to ensure it has a consistent and comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the outbreak on its own industry.

“We welcome both the State Government and the [Federal] Government’s efforts to boost marking efforts, especially in the domestic market,” QTIC said.

“We are urging both governments to consider the need for measures that can support businesses that are facing immediate cash-flow issues.”

MEANWHILE, more than 3,500 passengers have been quarantined on Diamond Princess after a previous guest tested positive for coronavirus.

The passenger disembarked in Hong Kong on 25 Jan to visit a hospital, where he was diagnosed with the virus, with the cruise line reporting that “he is in stable condition and the family members travelling with him remain symptom-free”.

Silversea has also revised a number of itineraries, with the 01 Feb sailing of Silver Spirit now disembarking in Manila, which is also the revised embarkation point of the 15 Feb sailing.

Muse’s Singapore to Yokohama sailing will also now call on Puerto Princesa & Coron instead of Shanghai and Hong Kong.