Operators cancel trips to Nepal
ABTA tour operators have been forced to cancel or postpone trips to Nepal following last weekend’s earthquake, which has killed at least 3,000 people and caused devastation in the capital Kathmandu and nearby villages.
The Foreign Office is today advising against all but essential travel to the country as the UK and other nations scramble to send financial and physical support.
ABTA issued the following statement: "Following the earthquake in Nepal, the Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to the whole country. Travellers who are due to travel to Nepal imminently should contact their holiday company to make alternative arrangements.
"Customers booked on package trips with ABTA tour operators will be given three options; to defer their date of travel, transfer to another destination if available, or have a full refund.
"Customers who have booked independent arrangements who are unable to travel, should contact their insurance company to see if any resulting cancellation charges are covered, this may or may not be the case depending on the relevant insurance policy.
"Travellers currently in Nepal are advised to monitor local news and media reports and to follow any advice and instructions issued by the authorities and by the Foreign Office. ABTA is working closely with its members and with the Foreign Office to ensure the safety of any customers and staff affected."
Tour operator G Adventures has launched a $75,000 aid appeal. "Nepal needs our help. Relief agencies are already mobilising to provide food, shelter, and medicine to those affected by the earthquake, but it doesn’t end there. It will take months, even years to rebuild the country," said G Adventures Bruce Poon Tip.
Donations can be made at http://bit.ly/1Qx5Sv1.
G Adventures has 156 clients and 15 staff on 15 trips in the affected area. "We are working to repatriate these travellers as soon as possible," said a spokeswoman.
All G Adventures trips commencing in Nepal have been cancelled up to and including departures on May 4 and customers are booking contacted and offered alternative trips or full refunds.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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