TERROR & DISEASE: WILL FEAR DETER SUMMER TRAVELERS?

By Bianna Golodryga

➤ The recent terrorist attacks in Orlando, Paris and Brussels, bombings in Turkey and reports of the Zika virus making its way around the world may have you wondering whether it’s wise to jet off for a vacation this summer.

THESE EVENTS CERTAINLY EVOKE FEAR, ANGER, AND

SADNESS IN PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

WHAT’S LESS THAN CLEAR IS IF

AND HOW TRAVELERS ARE

DETERRED BY SUCH EVENTS.

“Many “destination markets are down.”

-Gordon Wilson, CEO, Travelport (Source: WSJ)

HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THREATS OF

TERRORISM AND DISEASE AREN’T A

DETERRENT FOR MANY AVID TRAVELERS —

AND PERHAPS YOU’RE ONE OF THEM.

HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW GLOBAL EVENTS COULD AFFECT YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL

PLANS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND SECURITY.

FEAR OF TERRORISM IN AMERICA, EUROPE

➤ By now, it’s clear that domestic terrorism is a real threat in America and that it can happen just about anywhere.

➤ The recent shooting in Orlando, though, highlights a city considered synonymous with its dozens of attractions and theme parks.

➤ In fact, it’s been reported that the Orlando gunman scouted Downtown Disney (recently renamed Disney Springs) as a potential target before choosing Pulse. (Source: People)

“SAFE SPACES”

➤As the past decade has seen schools, churches, disability centers, movie theaters and gay clubs targeted, amusement parks are similarly populous “safe spaces” where one would not ordinarily expect tragedy.

➤In today’s climate, however, many will think twice about where is and is not safe, and if the distinction can even be made at all.

Photo source: www.nationalreview.com

ACCORDING TO THE ORLANDO SENTINEL,

TOURISM EXPERTS EXPECT A DIP IN

ATTENDANCE AND HIGHER SECURITY AT

ORLANDO’S THEME PARKS.

Photo source: theworxhub.com

““I do expect to (see) some impact, downturn, in the number of tourists. Hopefully … it will be short-lived and it will not be a very major one.”

-Abraham Pizam, Dean of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management

REGARDLESS, THERE WILL BE INCREASED

SECURITY FOR ORLANDO

ATTRACTIONS IN THE SHOOTING’S AFTERMATH.

This was also the case following December’s terrorist attacks in

San Bernardino, California. Photo source: www.theatlantic.com

FEAR IN EUROPE➤Things are hardly more

promising abroad: November’s terrorist attacks in Paris shook things up in Europe and the bombing in Brussels earlier this year are other tragic events that may make travelers cautious about planning trips to the EU this summer.

Photo source: time.com

2016 TRAVEL REPORT➤Even so, Paris continues to

be one of the top global city destinations by international visitors, according to The State of Travel 2016 report by Skift.

➤ In addition, millions are making their way to France this summer for the Euro Cup football championships and the Tour de France.

FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE HAS ALREADY ISSUED

ALERTS FOR TRAVELERS,

ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN

ATTENDING HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS.

Photo source: www.ooyuz.com

AS THE TELEGRAPH REPORTS,

TERRORIST ATTACKS — NOT STRIKES

— ARE THE PRIMARY THREAT OF

EURO 2016. The championship starts on June 10

and French intelligence has warned of Islamist bombing strategies in public

places.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS STEPPED UP THIS

PAST MAY AND ISSUED A TRAVEL ALERT FOR ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES,

POINTING OUT THAT AMERICAN TOURISTS NEED TO

BE VIGILANT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TERRORIST

ATTACKS DURING MAJOR PUBLIC EVENTS THIS SEASON.

Photo source: www.yahoo.com

TRAVELERS NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH BUSY

TRANSPORTATION HUBS, COMMERCIAL CENTERS AND

EVEN POPULAR RESTAURANTS, SINCE

THESE DESTINATIONS ARE EASY TARGETS FOR

TERRORISTS. Photo source: www.dailymail.co.uk

THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT POINTS OUT THAT STADIUMS

AND OTHER EVENT GROUNDS IN FRANCE HOSTING THE

EUROPEAN SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP FROM JUNE 10

TO JULY 10, AND THE VENUES HOSTING CATHOLIC CHURCH’S WORLD YOUTH DAY IN POLAND

THIS JULY MAY BE TARGETS FOR TERRORISTS THIS SUMMER.Photo source: www.dailymail.co.uk

SPREAD OF ZIKA VIRUS IN THE CARIBBEAN

TRAVELERS PLANNING A CARIBBEAN CRUISE OR EXTENDED STAY TRIP IN

MEXICO, BRAZIL, AND PANAMA MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS, A

MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASE THAT HAS LED THE CDC TO ISSUE WARNINGS ABOUT THESE POPULAR TRAVEL

DESTINATIONS.Photo source: www.telegraph.co.uk

ZIKA

➤ The Zika virus disease (otherwise known as Zika), is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

➤ Those who are bitten by a particular type of mosquito may notice symptoms such as red eyes and joint pain but having a Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause fetal brain and birth defects, according to the CDC.

➤ This is why women who are pregnant need to be especially vigilant about where they are traveling to this summer.

MAJOR AIRLINES, INCLUDING UNITED AIRLINES, JETBLUE AND VIRGIN AMERICA ARE ALREADY

ISSUING REFUNDS OR CHANGING FLIGHTS FREE OF

CHARGE FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE HEADED TO DESTINATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY

THE ZIKA VIRUS AND HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT TRAVELING

AFTER THE CDC WARNINGS.

THIS COULDN’T COME AT A WORSE TIME FOR BRAZIL

AMIDST ITS NASTY RECESSION. THERE,

CANCELLATIONS OF VISITS TO THE RIO OLYMPICS OR HONEYMOON VACATIONS

ONLY SERVE TO PUNCTURE AN ALREADY TROUBLED

ECONOMY.

GLOBAL EVENTS AFFECTING YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS?

IF YOU’VE BEEN BUSY MAKING SUMMER

TRAVEL PLANS, YOU MAY BE WONDERING IF

RECENT GLOBAL EVENTS ARE GOING TO

AFFECT YOUR ITINERARY.

WHETHER YOU’VE HAD YOUR HEART SET ON

TAKING YOUR FAMILY TO DISNEY WORLD,

TRAVELING TO PARIS OR ESCAPING TO THE CARIBBEAN THIS

SUMMER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE HEED OF RECENT

TRAVEL ALERTS.

TRAVEL TODAY➤ It’s normal to be mindful — and

even fearful — about the potential threat of a terrorist attack or becoming sick from a virus.

➤ Still, for many, these incidents are part of the risk we take when traveling to any destination.

➤ In spite of these recent global events, many travelers are still booking vacations to Europe to take advantage of cheaper airline ticket prices and continue on their journeys.

IT WILL ALSO REMAIN TO BE SEEN WHETHER OR NOT THE FACT

THAT PERPETRATORS BEHIND ATTACKS LIKE THOSE IN

ORLANDO AND SAN BERNARDINO MASSACRES WERE AMERICAN-

BORN, SELF-RADICALIZED “LONE WOLVES” AS OPPOSED TO

FOREIGN-BORN AND PART OF A LARGER TERROR CELL, WILL

CHANGE THE WAY TRAVELERS PLAN FUTURE TRIPS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S A SAD

TRUTH THAT DANGER AND HATRED

PROLIFERATE IN OUR WORLD.

SOMETIMES THE BEST WE CAN DO IS REFUSE

TO LET TERROR COMMAND US, AND

COMMAND OURSELVES WITH BRAVERY,

POSITIVITY, AND CAUTION INSTEAD.

IF YOU LIKED THIS PIECE, VISIT: BIANNAGOLODRYGA.COM

➤ Born in 1978 in Moldova, former Soviet Union, Bianna Golodryga immigrated to the U.S. during her childhood. A seasoned journalist and on-air correspondent, Bianna began her television career in 2001 as a bureau producer from the New York Stock Exchange for CNBC. Currently, Bianna is the News and Finance anchor at Yahoo!, where she leads the media company’s coverage of all major financial and news stories along with global anchor Katie Couric. For more news and updates, follow Bianna on Twitter & LinkedIn!