How the Coronavirus Outbreak is Resulting in Compelling Travel Deals

For those of us who have the “travel bug” by nature, looking at fun, potential destinations is a hobby and a thrill. Doing research to book the next adventure is always a treat, right? It just seems as if today’s headlines are putting a damper on making exciting, new vacation plans. 

Let’s look at the bright side, which is clear. With all these cancellations, there are so many bargain reservations you could be making for future trips. Previously exclusive or “totally booked up” locales are not only posting availability, but they are offering spectacular deals ripe for the plucking. It could be a cruise you’ve been eyeing or a new country you’ve been hoping to check off your list. It could be an all-inclusive resort you’ve dreamed about, or a simple hotel reservation a few towns over. People are backing out, and you could benefit from this by booking at this time.

What’s Going on With the Coronavirus?

Although it might be something you’ve never heard of before, Coronaviruses have been around for quite some time. They are actually a family of viruses that cause illness in both people and animals. Symptoms can range from general respiratory issues and a basic cold to more serious diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). 

Now, the disease prevalent in today’s news headlines is the most recently discovered Coronavirus disease, and it’s called COVID-19. COVID-19 originated in the Wuhan province of China in 2019. 

So Many Deals to Be Had

While it’s natural to take precautions, it’s easy to feel panic and cancel your trip altogether. That’s where the bargains come in. 

• Airfare: Airlines are offering heavily discounted fares and flights across the board. These companies make money when the planes are sold to capacity, not when they are sparsely filled. There are so many specials running if you take a few moments to search for them online. While it might mean a drop in the bottom line for these huge corporations, it doesn’t prevent the regular traveler from benefiting from cancelations.
  
  
• Hotels and Resorts: There are, quite simply, places in the world that rarely have openings in the schedule for even one night’s accommodation. You would need to be on a waiting list for half a year to even be considered. Yet, if you look at the headlines, you will see these exclusive hotels and resorts advertising vacancies and deals galore. Even basic lodging is cheaper everywhere you look. These places just have to have a certain percentage of booked rooms to be financially viable, and so they are offering prices rarely seen.
  
  
• Cruises: While there are definitely stories of mandatory cruise quarantines, there are still thousands of ships operating at this time. People are backing out left and right, but the boat must still sail. Therefore, there is a chance to get the luxury cruise you’ve been pining for at a fraction of the cost. Take a look at some of the options online, and you will be shocked at what you can save in the coming months. The cruise industry may be in trouble, but you could save a fortune.
  
  

How the Coronavirus Affects Travel Plans

At first, it seemed like people who were canceling their trip plans were perhaps a little premature. Some travelers cancelled trips without travel insurance or trip protection of any kind and lost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. There seems to be a mixed response in many online communities as to whether this will be a short term blip in the scheme of things or a prolonged global issue. 

Only time will tell. In the meantime, it appears as if many countries are already taking matters into their own hands and restricting travel altogether. This has been turning into a major crisis for airlines and the hospitality industry as a whole. Millions of people in the world make their money on tourism in one way or another, and when this well dries up unexpectedly, it leads to both panic and paycheck issues. 

However, many countries who rely on tourism simply cannot afford to cease travel or close the borders. It could be economically ruinous to do so. It seems like at this dramatic point in history, it is a buyer’s market when it comes to travel adventures. People who aren’t fearful of Coronavirus might just capitalize on this global scare and book majorly discounted trips to locations with lots of cancellations. 

Regardless, you should invest in trip protection of some sort, whether it be comprehensive travel insurance to cover you if you contract Coronavirus while traveling or a premium policy with an optional Cancel For Any Reason upgrade, which would allow you to cancel for any reason at all. While you might not personally be scared, something bigger may cancel that trip, and you don’t want to be stuck with the bill. Click here to quote, compare and buy travel insurance in under five minutes.

Making Sure You Stay Protected

Unfortunately, we currently live in an uncertain world and the spread of the Coronavirus is a scary thing. However, there are practical precautions you can take to stay safe, such as:

• Avoid Crowded Places When Possible
• Use Common Sense Sanitation Practices
• Tune Up Your Immune System
• Practice “Social Distancing”