Travel agencies report few cancellations to Mexico

Area travel agencies are reporting few cancellations of trips to Mexico, which has reported deaths from swine flu.

Carolyn Kempf of Elite Travel Services in Cape Girardeau returned Monday from a weeklong stay in Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and Playa del Carmen areas of Mexico. During her stay, Kempf met with representatives who reassured her that travel to that area is relatively safe.

With 20 years of experience in coordinating travel, Kempf said she has dealt with previous concern of traveling when viruses such as SARS, anthrax and the Asian bird flu were in the headlines. She said travelers should remain calm and take minor precautions such as practicing proper hygiene.

While Kempf had two couples move their trip from Mexico to Jamaica and fielded numerous calls from clients leaving this week, she reported no other clients have canceled their trips to the country. She said most of her clients are monitoring the situation and electing to move forward with their travel plans.

"Once we explain there is no swine flu in this region and the distance it is from Mexico City they were put at ease," Kempf said. "Most of our clients are well traveled, so since the hotel contacts, the government of Cancun, our clients there and our 20 years of experience are confirming there is no current threat in this area, clients are not canceling."

John Harper of Harper's Travel Service in Sikeston, Mo., believes the situation has been blown out of proportion by the national media. He said that while people should be concerned about any type of illness such as the swine flu, it's not time to overreact.

So far his office has not received cancellation of any trips. He said canceling a trip can be costly and advises individuals to buy travel insurance on any trip.

"We're concerned but not panicked," Harper said. "We're trying to just pass along the best information to our clients. We're watching this on a daily and hourly basis."

Cynthia Schutt of Tailored Travel in Cape Girardeau said travelers nervous about booking trips to Mexico may want to consider alternate cruises that leave out of New Orleans and Mobile, Ala.

"Unfortunately, the negative publicity surrounding influenza has made travelers weary of traveling to Mexico, but there are so many alternate destinations that I can suggest," Schutt said. "Mexico is one of my personal favorites and I hate it that all of this is happening, but I know the public will frequent there again very soon. People still need to get out and vacation, and Mexico is a very affordable destination."

Kempf believes the fear of traveling to Mexico will die out in the upcoming weeks and advises travelers to continue booking vacations to the country.

"Time is on your side if you are traveling this summer," she said. "My advice is if you are traveling in June and beyond, relax and don't make any major decisions about canceling your plans just yet."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

354 Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

4 S. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO

217 Tanner St., Sikeston, MO