ABTA tells members: ‘Put coronavirus contingency plans into place’
ABTA has advised travel agency and tour operator members to put continuity plans and policies in place to protect their business and staff as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
In an update to members today, chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "It is impossible to say how the situation will develop but ABTA will continue to focus its efforts on providing up to date fact-based information so Members and customers can make informed decisions.
"As well as considering the position in relation to travellers, it would be prudent to consider your own business processes. It is important that business continuity plans, contingency measures and policies are put in place now to protect your business and employees as best possible."
The advice was issued as cases of coronavirus continue to emerge with official restrictions being placed on travel to 11 towns in northern Italy and hundreds of holidaymakers in a hotel in Tenerife being affected in resort.
"This has dominated the news agenda for the past few days, with a huge amount of speculation and anxiety about the spread of the virus," said Tanzer.
"Our other main priority is on providing accurate advice to the travelling public and providing some perspective to reports – covering the scale of the issue, the currently very limited nature of travel restrictions in place by the FCO and practical steps people can take to protect themselves."
A new member webpage has been created with up to date advice.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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