MORE than 86
percent of safari tour operators are experiencing a significant decline
in bookings due to fears of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
According to the survey conducted by the SafariBookings.com a total of 360 operators were...
involved in the survey.
Part of the report
reads that many operators pointed fingers at coronavirus as main cause
of the booking decline "Common amongst the comments from safari
operators was coronavirus is affecting our safari business.
We are experiencing
fewer bookings as some clients are putting their bookings on hold while
others have canceled," reads part of the report.
The initiative for
the survey was taken after SafariBookings.com received disturbing
feedback from safari operators who were reporting that bookings had
declined significantly due to the coronavirus outbreak. T
he survey found
that about a quarter of operators experienced a staggering 75 percent
decrease in bookings. Only 14 percent reported no decrease and for these
operators it has been business as usual. It is a heavy blow for the
industry and the numerous wildlife reserves that rely on its revenue.
Clients are asking questions about options to delay or cancel their safari trips, and any costs they may incur.
"The main question
potential clients are asking is whether they will be able to postpone or
cancel their trip without penalties, should the coronavirus spread to
Africa or to their own country, forcing them to amend their travel
plans," reads part of the report.
One of operators
from Uganda put it that the fear for the disease was causing a direct
negative impact to the safari business, yet there is no a single case
reported in Uganda.
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