Are people afraid to travel?

[robtemt]

I realise that as long as there is a plane, most people on here will get on it if it takes them someplace they want to go or as long as it offers status credits...... BUT, are "everyday people" thinking twice about traveling?

The owner of the B&B that we were going to stay at next year in Paris emailed us this weekend:

Dear Robert,

I am really sorry. Unfortunately, due to the economic problems (The attacks and Airbnb in Paris). We have taken this week the decision to stop our guest rooms at 31 October 2016.

If you need more information’s not hesitate to contact us.


​

This particular B&B has been open at least 5 years, and doesn't have a single review that is not "Excellent".


My partner and I both have the theory, "when it's your time, its your time"... We haven't changed any of our travel plans as a result of recent events. We change our travel behaviour (or really increase our situational awareness), but having been in emergency services for nearly 20 years, I've always had a heightened sense of my surroundings by nature/training. We were in Thailand during the recent bombings or "fires" as our hotel manager liked to call them (about 10km from one of them), and we never thought a second about cancelling our next trip or altering our itinerary for Europe.

Are we among the majority, or minority? Has anyone on here made the decision to NOT go somewhere as a result of recent events?

 

[Buzzard]

Not me, currently planning a trip to Europe next year.

 

[Denali]

We're travelling more now than ever before (self funded).

My office recently announced "Active Shooter" training for all global staff and although I laughed at first, I will be doing it soon because its available. (not that I expect something to happen or that I would follow the guidelines but you never know, its all knowledge)

 

[Pushka]

As soon as I got the health clearance to travel (well, maybe even a bit before ) I started booking our next trip. If something happened while travelling then so be it. Having had a glimpse into something ridiculously 'simple' that was life threatening I see things differently these days.

 

[Hvr]

We're probably the wrong people to ask. I reckon most of us work to get money and/or opportunities to travel.

However, anecdotally I have heard of people not wanting to go overseas because of the potential risk. Have only ever been to one war zone, (South Korea), but plenty of places that were in turmoil.

I'll be travelling as long as I can and will consider and mitigate potential risks before and as required during travel.

The benefits outweigh the risks.

 

[burmans]

Have only ever been to one war zone, (South Korea)

Had to have a chuckle at this, technically true of course but in current climate I'd feel more comfortable in South Korea than much of Europe.

 

[ajd]

The thing most likely to dissuade me from travelling is guilt over my contribution to the huge carbon impact of aviation... Not the terrorism risk - at least not in the West, where the likelihood of dying in a terrorist attack is so low as to be negligible.

 

[Mattg]

Last year I went to South Africa. A lot of hotel staff and tourism operators said that bookings were down, and that there had been quite a few cancellations due to people worried about ebola. As far as I know, there has never been a case of ebola in South Africa.

It was a similar story when I went to Brazil a couple of months ago. People were avoiding the place because of the zika virus. Personally, I wasn't too concerned... I just wore extra mosquito repellant and was fine.

My personal opinion is that, in many cases, these kinds of fears are irrational. But that doesn't mean they don't exist in peoples' minds. So while the fear of travel may not be rational, the impact on tourism operators is real.

 

[Viridianne]

With the troubles MH had in the past I heard there were a lot of cancellations. But not Aussies! The cheaper fares attracted us to use MH. Perhaps being so far away from the rest of the world, and the costs involved to go overseas, we are more opportunistic?

I remember I took a plane from NYC in Sep 11 2010 the plane was empty.

 

[drron]

Doesn't worry me.We have been to Fiji during 3 coups.Just meant the resort wasn't crowded and I got to meet 2 Fijian PMs.Also a couple of cyclones.
In Thailand for a couple of coups,a few riots and some floods.never a problem.
In the USA there for hurricanes Rita and Katrina.Rita kept us in an hotel for 24 hours,Katrina affected a couple of flights.Also in the USA 1 month after 9/11.Fantastic discounts including New York,New York hotel in Vegas for $25 a night.People were cancelling reservations there and staying at other hotels.Go figure.
In Hong Kong in the 80s for a Typhoon.We were the last people on a gondola at Ocean Park when a Force 8 warning was issued.Locked in the hotel for 3 days unfortunately with the jeweller mrsdrron used then.
Have landed and taken off in typhoons in Japan.Also were meant to cruise Tokyo to Anchorage 2 months after the Japanese tsunami.Instead went out of Incheon.All the Americans cancelled and there were just 95 pax on a ship that could carry ~ 500.

 

[marki]

The thing most likely to dissuade me from travelling is guilt over my contribution to the huge carbon impact of aviation... Not the terrorism risk - at least not in the West, where the likelihood of dying in a terrorist attack is so low as to be negligible.

Tell that to the French who have seen a major impact on tourist numbers into their country!

 

[Oscarq]

Arrived in Turkey late July not long after the coup. With a heightened sense of awareness spent time by the Meditterainean contemplating life before heading to Istanbul, a likely trouble spot along with Ankara. We watched the news & spoke with Turkish locals who were all suffering from the tourist downturn. All considered Turkey safe re the coup but did mention an ISIS attack can happen anywhere in the world at any time. We experienced a wonderful holiday, felt very safe and enjoyed the lack of queuing at all of the tourist spots..Blue Mosque, Palace etc. which was a real bonus. We were n Japan shortly after the Serin Gas episode many years ago..we love travel!...or are we stupid???

 

[Deleted member]

Not me, currently planning a trip to Europe next year.

Me too. We're off to France. Only a few days in Paris , mostly in the countryside.

 

[Pushka]

Me too. We're off to France. Only a few days in Paris , mostly in the countryside.

See you there!
We travelled to Sri Lanka in the '80's in the midst of the civil war. A BA plane was blown up at the airport either just before or just after. Colombo was in lock down with military everywhere.

 

[Denali]

...or are we stupid???

Nope.

Me to hubby: There was some sort of terrorist event last night.

Hubby: Yeah. I aint going to Minto!

 

[DaveB]

Everyone has a tolerance level that graduates from opening the front door to war zone level.
Still going to Turkey next year despite the better half saying are you sure.
Three in the office have travelled to Lebanon at different times this year for their annual and with one, biannual trip happily putting up with bribing militia checkpoints, rudimentary sanitation and the inevitable food poisoning/gastro attacks. Despite their pleas to show me around the Paris of the East, still not made my to do list. As an aside, the whole country is gun crazy with pretty much any bird a target.

 

[Milefest]

I hope people that are scared of flying or terrorist attacks in first world countries don't drive a car...

 

[JohnK]

I try to avoid travelling to potential trouble spots. Not sure how I'll go next year travelling to Europe.

 

[JohnM]

I try to avoid travelling to potential trouble spots. Not sure how I'll go next year travelling to Europe.

Europe is a trouble spot, John .

 

[Dr Ralph]

I haven't changed my travel plans. But there are definitely places that I'm not prepared to take my wife and children.