Travel Agent learned that two major tour operators selling Mexico have received their largest amount of requests by clients in years to either rebook or cancel their trips to Mexico.
The ongoing swine flu scare in Mexico spiked MLT Vacations' call volume by an increase of about 40 percent since the story of the influenza situation in Mexico first broke, according to an MLT Vacations spokesperson. About 30 percent of MLT Vacations’ customers going to Mexico from now through May 15 have either canceled or re-booked.
Funjet Vacations shared similar numbers with Travel Agent. According to a Funjet Vacations spokesperson, the operator has received three times as many cancellations or re-bookings to Mexico then they would usually receive in the same window. That estimate is the highest it’s been since Hurricane Wilma struck Mexico in 2005, according to the spokesperson.
Where are they going?
Both operators told us that Jamaica is the most frequently requested destination for clients who have changed their destination. Coming in at a close second is Hawaii followed by Florida. Funjet Vacations also said Punta Cana and Las Vegas were destinations people opted for instead of Mexico.
Customers Main Concern
A spokesperson for MLT Vacations says the most frequently asked question is, "Should I go?” Questions have obviously been focused on the actual flu itself as well as the likelihood of being stuck in Mexico due to a possible quarantine.
“But the main question is flat out, ‘Should I go to Mexico?,’” says the spokesperson. “We are basically telling them that it is a personal decision. We can provide them with several options if they want to rebook or cancel but in the end we can't make the decision to go for them.”
Stay tuned as Travel Agent continues to hit the phones to gather all information from operators regarding cancellations and re-bookings to Mexico.