AN INDEPENEDENT travel agent has spoken about how coronavirus – and the reporting of it in the media – has affected the travel industry.

Clare Crossley, originally from Richmond and now living in Darlington, runs The Personal Travel Agents and said coronavirus was having a definite impact on travel.

She said: “Coronavirus is definitely having an impact on travel – I feel that unfortunately media has scared the public and not necessarily put things in perspective for them.

“Business is very quiet and slow. I think many customers are now holding back to see how the situation unravels, and we are expecting more forward bookings now for 2021 and a lot of late deals once it all calms down.

“I’ve had customers going to clear areas that have barely been affected in tears on the phone, thinking if they go away they are putting themselves at risk and contemplating losing thousands of pounds by staying at home – all of which I have calmed and supported. They have all now had amazing holidays with no sight or sound of the virus.

“Others are now approaching balance stage and their future holidays payments are due and some again are unsure of the future of the virus and not wanting to risk paying – I again assure all that should the foreign office deem the area they are travelling to unsafe the will be offered refunds and cancellations on the holidays I have booked, but only time will tell.”

I’ve had only one holiday cancelled due to the coronavirus currently – they received a full refund and we rebooked them to a different area – they’re away and happy now.”

Ms Crossley said while she hadn’t been directly affected by the loss of Flybe, many of her colleagues within the industry have.

She said: “It is such a shame for all the passengers affected but awful for the staff working for Flybe.

“Flybe hasn’t affected me massively, however the travel industry lots of my colleagues will be affected - many are now working hard to get their passengers rebooked on alternative flights.

“If they are unable to agree an alternative then bookings will often be lost and this of course has an effect on the turnover, sales and wages too.

“I have one customer currently in Paris booked through an operator on a package due to return tomorrow - I’ve spoken to the operator but have to wait patiently for them to come back to me with alternative flights.

“Luckily as the customer has booked through me as an agent they are covered, and I am organising their return flight options.

“Those booked direct or not as a package I suppose will have to sacrifice their day today to try and source other options – likely having to pay again to get home.”

There is so much going on in travel and the job gets more difficult, but everyone needs their holidays still. Last year we had Thomas Cook going into administration, worries about Brexit, and now Coronavirus and another huge airline going.

I have details on my website updating customers on these issues, how bookings are being dealt with and treated: https://www.thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk/coronavirus-update/?pta=clare-crossley

https://www.thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk/flybe-important-information/?pta=clare-crossley