A leading independent agent says the majority of consumers are carrying on with their holidays despite coronavirus concerns.
Miles Morgan Travel owner Miles Morgan told a BBC TV special on the outbreak that “over 99%” of clients are continuing with their holiday plans.
Speaking from an agency banrch in Taunton, he said: “It’s no suprise that our shops have been inundated with people asking questions.
“It’s quite comforting thay can sit in a travel agency and talk through what their options are.
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“I am pleased to say over 99%, the vast majority, are carrying on with their holiday, which is absolutely right.”
Asked how his agency staff were reassuring holidaymakers, Morgan added: “It’s a perspective. It’s a matter of looking at just how many are affected and areas affected.
“In the scheme of the world this is still very small numbers of people and areas.”
His appearance and comments received widespread praise from people in the industry on Twitter.
David Winterton, director of marketing and global brand at Emerald Cruises tweeted: “Well done Miles and @MilesMorganNews Taunton for putting a real perspective forward for the travel industry, on @BBCOne just now.”
Well done Miles and @MilesMorganNews Taunton for putting a real perspective forward for the travel industry, on @BBCOne just now. pic.twitter.com/WAxweGTKxz
— David Winterton (@wintertonsworld) March 2, 2020
Doing a brilliant job to reassure travellers tonight on BBC news @SimonCalder and @MMTMan you were both excellent – and Miles your shopper looked ace!
— rachel o’reilly (@rorpr) March 2, 2020
Prime minister Boris Johnson was also on programme saying the UK needs to prepare for the “realist possibility” of a “significant expansion in the number of cases” of coronavirus.
The government would be making public how it would be dealing with the crisis with a range of responses to the spread of the coronavirus today (Tuesday) but for the moment it was “business as usual”.
The comments came in the face of airlines such as British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Lufthansa Group cutting routes and Tui reviewing capacity due to weaker demand.