Summer holidays are nearing and Coronavirus is definitely on a rampage. The virus has touched 60 countries, which is almost half of the world. What started at the end of December 2019 has reached March 2020 and will soon reach summer. And now, with summers just a few weeks away, people across half of the globe are worried about their summer holidays. Is it still on the cards? How long will the virus last? These are a few questions bothering millions right now.

According to experts, summer vacations could just be off the table with the Coronavirus scare this year. Even ardent travellers are being asked to put off travelling to avoid catching the new virus as nowhere is safe.

With more than 60 countries affected by the virus, the demand for international travel has decreased drastically since the outbreak. As per data from travel analytics firms, the number of flights booked from the US and the UK has fallen significantly for the five-week period ending February 23 amidst the fear of Coronavirus.

The travel experts say that the longer the situation lasts, the more likely it is that this will convert into no travel at all year. This being a large-scale crisis, people might look at short domestic trips over long-haul. The demand for domestic travel might go up as people are safer in their home destinations.

The experts also believe that the majority of people, especially in the western world, give much importance to their holidays. However, if Coronavirus continues affecting people and places by the end of April 2020, the number of cancellations of holidays might increase at a rapid rate because, of course, health is more important than a holiday.

It is to be noted that Coronavirus has already affected airlines. The International Air Transport Association has said that they have lost nearly $30 billion to the Coronavirus outbreak.

So this year, be cautious where you travel to and do your homework thoroughly.

Original post:

Planning summer holidays? Think about coronavirus - Times of India