Operators scramble to repatriate skiers from Italy as resorts end season early
Operators are scrambling to repatriate clients from Italian ski resorts after the Foreign Office issued a warning against all but essential travel to the whole of Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Ski resorts in the Aosta Valley and the Dolomites have also decided to end the season early, forcing operators to cancel all remaining winter holidays.
Affected resorts include Courmayeur, Pila, Champoluc, La Thulie, Gressonay and Cervinia, Arabba, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Corvara & Colfosco, Kronplatz, La Villa, Selva, Ortisei, San Cassiano and Val di Fassa (Canazei & Campitello).
Crystal, the biggest UK ski operator, said it has also been forced to cancel its holidays to the French resorts of Les Orres, Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier for the remainder of this ski season.
Ski Solutions, a ski specialist agency, said: "We are in touch with all clients currently overseas in Italy to support them in returning to the UK."
It said clients book with its partner tour operators Inghams and Club Med are advised to follow guidance from the local reps.
Ski Solutions said it would be in touch with all clients yet to travel to the Dolomites and Aosta Valley resorts, and added: We are expecting our phone lines to be very busy, please await initial communications from us for more details."
Inghams said it would be dealing with clients due to depart the soonest, adding: "We kindly ask for your patience and only contact us if urgent."
There is no restriction on visitors leaving Italy, so transfers in and out of the destinations including cross-border travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to France are unrestricted.
Flights from the usual gateways, including Geneva and Turin, are operating as normal, according to Ski Solutions.
ABTA said: "British nationals remain able to depart Italy without restriction and airports remain open throughout Italy.
"However, airline schedules are subject to change and some flights are being cancelled. Customers currently in Italy should contact their travel provider to discuss their options and follow the instructions of local authorities and local public health advice.
"Customers who are imminently due to travel on package holidays which include Italy should be offered alternative arrangements by their travel provider. If no suitable alternatives are available, package holiday customers should be offered a full refund.
"Customers who have booked their flights and accommodation directly should speak to their airline and accommodation provider to discuss their options. They should also check their travel insurance to see if this will cover any additional costs.
"Customers with an existing package holiday booked, and those considering making plans, can have confidence that there are protections in place for package holidays should the travel advice to their destination change. ABTA’s latest advice and Q&A’s for travellers is available at abta.com/coronavirus."
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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