Travel and the Swine Flu

Right now, everyone is trying to figure out what to do with the information or mis-information on the swine flu.

What we know for now- the CDC has issued an alert to avoid unnecessary travel to Mexico. It is not a warning. The planes are still flying. Can you go? YES. Do you want to go? The choice is yours. Should you go? Again, the choice is yours.

Many of the cruise lines are diverting ships away from Mexico for now. They are doing this as a precaution-since again, no one knows how long this flu will last and what implications it will have and, in my opinion, the mass hysteria that would result from the passengers who are fearful of traveling to Mexico.

Most airlines are allowing ticketed passengers to change flights without penalty. There are pretty strict restriction on this so please check with the airline. Continental has extended the date to waive fees until May 15. American has extended their date until May 16. Delta is still at May 6.

Many countries are advising against unnecessary travel to Mexico and some in Europe are suggesting not traveling North America. Canada had 6 reported cases of the swine flu. The US, as of 4/29, had less than 100- most mild. Should you avoid traveling to an entire country because of this?

What do we not know-------
1. How serious is the swine flu?
2. Is it safe to go to Mexico?
3. Is is safe to travel to the US?
4. How long will this go on?

Yes, this is serious but the mass hysteria going on right now is not helping the situation. I have been working with clients on changing their vacations because of the alert and fear of traveling to Mexico, even though the area that they were scheduled to visit has no reported cases of this flu. It is my job to help in any way I can but for those who are scheduled to travel in late June and July, my advice is to calm down and see what happens in the next few weeks. Remember the safety concern about the drug cartels in Mexico? My clients and associates who traveled to Cancun and the Riviera Maya all felt perfectly safe. Sometimes the media is wondeful and sometimes it isn't.