Travel agents are determined to keep the severity of swine flu in perspective – despite the prominence of the pandemic in the national media this week.
Peterborough-based Britaly Travel director Daniele Broccoli had not received one call from customers about swine flu.
“I think they realise the media has over-hyped it big time, from the day when it was reported that Mexico had over 1,000 deaths, and it ended up being 33.”
“Travel agents have gone through so much with more [deadly] diseases and terrorist attacks; swine flu is the least worrying.”
Swine flu highlighted the importance of taking out insurance and the benefits of travelling with a tour operator and a travel agent, said Sunvil managing director Noel Josephides.
He had just received his first enquiry from one of the 1,000 customers he handles each week who wanted to know what the operator would do if she were quarantined in Greece.
“If they take out our insurance they will be fine.
“In the old days, a high proportion of customers took out our insurance, or took it from an agent, but since the introduction of new Financial Services Authority rules, we have no idea what level of cover our customers have got,” said Josephides.
Although agents who spoke to Travel Weekly reported few cancellations or calls from concerned customers, they are aware the situation could change at any time.
Leicester-based Millington Independent co-owner Nigel Armitage said: “We’ve had no questions so far, even though it’s been in all the media.
“But from our point of view, it is worrying, because it’s been a bad year anyway. If [swine flu] stops people spending that will be even worse.
A spokesman for Scottish miniple Barrhead Travel said the Glasgow shop had not received any calls from concerned customers.
“We expected a deluge of calls but haven’t had any. We have made sure the team gets constant updates on the situation so they know what to say if customers do call.
“If anyone is concerned about their health we would advise them to visit their GP, and not just turn up at the airport.
“We also have a contingency plan in place in case swine flu affects staff here.”
For more on swine flu go to www.travelweekly.co.uk/swineflu
Image: Andrew Hasson / Rex Features