BOOKINGS for international fights in some travel agencies in Cebu City have remained static even though the Philippines partially lifted the travel ban to South Korea on March 3, 2020.
Kathyleen Javier, operations manager at Big Leap Travel Ventures, said no one has booked for international flights in the agency since Tuesday, March 3.
Javier said Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has really threatened travelers as this does not only affect their bookings for international flights but also their domestic flights and tours.
There were no cancellations in the agency, but it has been a month that only few have booked for travel due to fear of the disease.
“We have clients who still push through with their travel plans. They were scared but they did not cancel their bookings. They said they’ll just bring sanitizers and wear face masks,” said Javier.
The agency temporarily suspended its tours on the second week of February until Thursday, March 5 due to its low bookings.
“There’s no booking since end of February until now because of the Covid-19 scare. People are hesitant to travel,” she added.
To cope with the effects of the outbreak, the agency through its social media account has been posting updates with regard to the status of the outbreak.
As for Cebu Travel Agency, around 60 individuals have already cancelled their tours to Taiwan and the Holy Land in Israel due to fear of the disease.
Nova Regis, admin staff at Cebu Travel Agency, said they provided a refund with a deduction of five percent of their total payment.
Regis said no one has booked for international flights in their agency so far even after the government partially lifted the travel ban to South Korea.
The agency is coping with its effect through processing of visas for other countries where they can get more revenues.
Travel restrictions
The Philippine government has relaxed the travel ban to South Korea. However, the ban on the entry of foreign nationals traveling from North Gyeongsang Province, including Daegu City and Cheongdo County, into the Philippines remains effective.
Moreover, travel restrictions to and from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau remain in place.
Samantha Osabel, who booked a ticket for South Korea cancelled her flight on Tuesday, the day the Philippines lifted the ban.
“I think it’s still not safe (to travel). My parents did not allow me to go, and I feel like my immune system is not strong enough right now. It’s cold in Korea and I might probably get colds. I’m scared to be quarantined too when I get back,” said Osabel.
Osabel was supposed to fly to South Korea on March 11 and stay there until March 16. (MAE FHEL GOM-OS- USJR INTERN)