What have you thought when on Thursday morning, the message arrived that the United States would close for 30 days the limits for Europeans?
This is once again an extremely hard blow to the entire travel industry. I really don't know what awaits us in the coming days and weeks.

Who pays for the damage of consumers, the U.S. travel booked?
We have to assume that the insurance will not pay. But the travel agencies and tour operators will do everything to keep the damage for the customer as small as possible. The flights will probably be cancelled by the Airlines and refunded. Other services such as car rental or Hotels are reimbursed according to the cancellation terms of each service provider to the customer back.

Walter Kunz

The 58-Year-old knows the business inside out. Prior to his position at SRV, he worked for Imholz Reisen/ITV. Photo: Reto Oeschger

What is the travel Association as the industry organization, in order to mitigate the Following Corona-crisis?
In a Meeting has given us the EDA and the BAG at the beginning of the week, not more of travel in heavily Corona-affected areas, not recommended, not even by travelling to China. The travel insurance were dismissed from the duty, because they made up to now to the recommendations of the EDA. We are now looking for the conversation with the travel insurers. More importantly, the round table, the Seco. We were able to our economic demands, attaching that the travel industry is now in need of urgent. The Federal Council will adopt a package of measures for the affected sectors of the economy.

What you want to achieve?
We want the travel industry despite the cancellations and changes, overworked staff, short-time working is allowed to submit. There are no new orders come in handy more; sales from the stay.

does it even make sense to book now summer holidays?
I understand that the consumers are fully confused, but the risk to book the summer holiday, remains manageable. You can flat cancel trips usually up to three weeks before departure, and only needs to pay a processing fee. 120 Swiss francs, to cancel a Dossier for a family of four, seem portable.

"I advise people to check with Postings exactly in accordance with the cancellation procedures."

your tip?
I advise people to check with Postings exactly in accordance with the cancellation procedures. I am convinced that the terms and conditions about the travel office are far better than if you book directly with the respective service provider.

you Have booked your holiday already?
Yes, we have to spend in the summer, two weeks in a Finca in Mallorca, and for April, I have booked a week of Golf in the vicinity of Barcelona. I would like to begin the travel, have not asked but still after the possible cancellation fees, in case the Situation in Spain is aggravated.

What to expect for the Consumer, especially in hectic times from the travel office?
It is without a doubt an advantage to make the bookings at a Central point of contact and to distribute to various providers, such as airlines or hotel portals. If the travel office at least two services to be purchased, it covers the package travel act, the damages – for example, in the case of airline bankruptcies, but not in the case of extraordinary circumstances, such as administrative orders. This we know now because of the worldwide Corona-related Entry barriers.

Fare from the travel industry Association of goodwill recommendations in Corona times?
We have our guidelines, but, in principle, every company can determine for yourself about your grace. If an organizer for the bookings to come in, you will be offered a free cancellation until the end of April, so this is a business decision.

"With common sense, you may ask, how can it be, that there is to be in Bali, not a Corona."

what questions will be assailed the Headquarters of the travel Association currently?
of Course, with problems related to the Coronavirus. Mainly because legal issues are up to date, we have spontaneously opened a Hotline for our members.

What do you think of messages from Asia, then Burma for Corona-free explains and also Indonesia a Persil ticket for Bali exhibited?
I dare no judgment. We are travel specialists, not physicians. But with common sense, you may ask, how can it be, that there is to be in Bali, not a Corona.

Is the business with the cross, is particularly threatened?
On the ships, people traveling in a confined space. But even before Corona, the operators followed an intensive hygiene measures. Like all of the other players in the industry, the cruise lines are suffering tremendously.

What form of travel is affected by this recently, unimaginable crisis the most?
Finally, we can say that when after weeks or months of normality is returning. Then we can see which forms of Travel and types of recover the fastest. Our industry has done in the past few years, many dramatic events. She got up, despite all the odds again and again. But the current Situation is the worst in my entire professional career.

Created: 12.03.2020, 20:24 PM