Scottish Passenger Agents' Association (SPAA) urges Strathspey and Badenoch public not to let coronavirus fears put them off their summer holiday planning
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A LEADING Scottish travel industry trade body has urged the public not to let fears over the spread of coronavirus deter their summer holiday plans.
Many holidaymakers have contacted travel agents in the past fortnight to cancel holidays because of COVID-19, but the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association has endorsed the advice of government scientists for the public to carry on travelling.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser to the government, has said that it would be pointless to now restrict travel when the virus has already spread, adding that the public are at no greater risk of contracting the virus overseas than in the UK.
SPAA president Joanne Dooey said that many customers have been in touch with the association’s members to cancel holidays planned for this summer. However, she pointed out that abandoning their plans completely could lead to customers being left out of pocket.
“We very much endorse the advice of the government to carry on as normal because, until the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against travel to a specific destination, your travel plans are not technically affected,” said Ms Dooey.
“Therefore, there is no automatic right to a refund on a holiday that has already been paid for. It’s only when the FCO advises against travel to a specific destination and your agent is unable to offer an alternative that you would be entitled to a refund.
“If your tour operator can provide an alternative but it is significantly different to the original package, for example, it is in an entirely different country, then you would be under no obligation to accept and would also be entitled to a refund in that scenario.
“At the moment, the FCO is only issuing advice in relation to imminent travel – that’s to say travel that will be taking place in a matter of days or weeks. There is no need to change plans for holidays that are still months away: our advice is not to panic, just relax and look forward to your holiday.
“Should it be the case that your holiday plans are affected as a result of travel restrictions to safeguard against the spread of coronavirus, your travel agent will guide you through the process of what happens next and how you can either get a refund or make alternative arrangements.”
The SPAA, founded in 1921, is the world’s oldest organisation representing travel agents. It currently has 120 members and 92 associate members across the travel and transport industry.
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