Coronavirus Puts Travel Advisors to the Test


Skift Take

Confusion and fears surrounding the coronavirus are putting travelers on edge and travel advisors in a difficult spot. Travel advisors can present the facts but should not try to influence cancellation decisions.

With so much fear and uncertainty over the fast-spreading coronavirus, travel advisors have been challenged to keep on top of the situation and deal with the concerns of their understandably worried clients. For many, it's been a busy couple of weeks of handling cancellations and rescheduling flights and itineraries. Risk management experts and industry organizations are recommending that travel advisors direct concerned clients to primary sources such as the Centers for Disease Control when making decisions about whether or not to cancel travel plans. Even if there's little to fear in a destination, it's up to the client to decide. Here's some good advice from Craig Hsu, vice president of Travel Design USA: "As advisors, we do not try and influence our clients' decisions whethe