Is it safe to travel?
EBOLA: As the number of worldwide cases of Ebola passes the 10,000 mark, Sarah Marshall looks at how it is affecting tourism
ITH the spread of Ebola escalating on a daily basis there’s a big, heavy question mark hanging over holidays to destinations close to the affected countries. And even if the epidemic doesn’t make it over the borders, there’s always the fear that airlines will cut off flight routes leaving tourists stranded; major airlines such as British Airways, Kenya Airways and Air France have already suspended routes to the affected countries.
According to the World Health Organisation, there is actually very low risk of transmitting the virus during air travel but I understand the national carriers’ concerns: it’s not just passengers they’re seeking to protect but also the domestic tourist industry.
East African countries in particular are already experiencing a drop in bookings, even though not a single case has been reported in Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda – fewer than in Europe and the USA.
Last week, a survey of more than 500 African safari operators conducted by Safaribookings.com reported that recent bookings had dropped between 20 and 70 per cent. Ebola was cited as the main cause for the decline. Some customers have cancelled while others are simply sitting tight and postponing plans.
Given that many of these countries rely heavily on tourism, the impact could be financially disastrous.
The problem is one of perception. In reality, Kenya and Tanzania are more than 3,000 miles from Ebola-stricken countries, and London is actually closer to the outbreak than Johannesburg. But even the mention of the word Africa can conjure alarming connotations and associations with famine, kidnapping, war, terrorism and corruption. Now throw disease into the equation. These are sweeping generalisations that in no way should define the continent.
So what happens if there’s an Ebola outbreak in the destination you’re planning to visit? According to consumer finance website Money.co.uk most existing travel insurance companies don’t have exclusions for Ebola, although it’s important to make sure you don’t have a policy that restricts you against epidemics and pandemics.
But surely the overriding message should be that unless you’ve booked a trip to any of the affected West African countries there’s no need to cancel or postpone a holiday. Ebola is undeniably a worldwide concern, but let’s be careful not to let fear and panic become as noxious and damaging as the disease itself.