How is the Coronavirus impacting travel plans?

With 21 years experience as sport travel experts we’ve seen our share of epidemics. In times of uncertainty, we know one thing… Australians and New Zealanders are still going to travel! Here are some things you should consider about travelling in the age of the Coronavirus.

Travelling is a personal choice.

The choice to travel is ultimately yours and one you must make based on your own personal circumstance. There are always risks involved when travelling, it is up to you to review the risks and decide for yourself.

Make your choices using information from official sources.

There is a lot of information and hysteria across the media currently. Ensure your information comes from trusted sources. We will only provide you with information regarding the current COVID-19 situation and its impact on events from official sources, these include:

World Health Organisation (WHO) – www.who.int
Smartraveller – www.smartraveller.gov.au
Department of Health – www.health.gov.au

I’ve decided to travel.

We know from past epidemics Australians and New Zealanders are going to travel! It is best to ensure you are well informed about the precautions you should take, and the type of hygiene behaviours should be adhered to or avoided. We recommend you seek medical advice prior to travel, which is always a suggested action regardless of when or where you are travelling. The choice and duty of care of your health is always yours. Be aware, governments are now advising not to travel internationally at this time, unless you are returning home. If you’re already overseas and wish to return to Australia, we recommend you do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Increased health screening & 14-day quarantine protocols are in place around the world. You could potentially be denied entry to your destination, depending on the outcome of your screening and the particular policy of government whom hold the particular port of entry.

I want to cancel my trip.

If you decide to cancel your trip, you will be subject to the terms and conditions you agreed to when making your booking. While your satisfaction is our priority, the outcome of your cancellation will be impacted by a number of factors, including but not limited to the event rights holder, hotels, airlines & your particular travel insurance policy.

I want to change my trip.

Changing the dates and/or destination of your travel may be a suitable option. In some cases, receiving a travel credit will be possible. You will be subject to the terms and conditions you agreed to when making your booking. While your satisfaction is our priority, the outcome of your cancellation will be impacted by a number of factors, including but not limited to the event rights holder, hotels, airlines & your particular travel insurance policy.

The event I booked was postponed.

Once a new date has been set, Sportsnet Holidays will work with airlines, hotels and event organisers to ensure an amicable outcome can be achieved for all our customers. Airlines and hotels are individual business entities and hold their own unique policies. The specifics of your travel package will impact the possible outcomes. Each event, airline, hotel and supplier is effected differently and we will need time to establish what this means for individual packages. We appreciate it may not be possible for you to change travel plans to the new event date. If this is the case, we will work with you to ensure the best possible outcome is reached. We will be in contact with each of our guests directly to discuss your travel intentions.

The event I booked was cancelled.

Sportsnet Holidays will work with airlines, hotels and event organisers to ensure an amicable outcome can be achieved for all our customers. Event organisers, airlines and hotels are individual business entities and hold their own unique policies. The specifics of your travel package will impact possible outcomes. As a number of factors impact each individual guest, event and booking, advice will be provided for specific events and each guest will be contacted directly with next steps.

Always book with travel insurance.

Unexpected events happen. It is always important to get travel insurance at the time of your booking. There are some variations as to how different insurance providers approach epidemics, pandemics and virus outbreaks like the Coronavirus. We advise for insurance advice to talk to your insurance provider directly. If you purchased insurance through Sportsnet Holidays, you can reach NIB via the following details. www.nibtravelinsurance.com.au/contact

Remember, Sportsnet Holidays will contact each of our customers directly that have been impacted. We are working with airlines, hotels and event organisers to ensure an amicable outcome can be achieved for our guests. As event organisers, airlines and hotels are individual entities, their policies vary. The specifics of your package will determine the possible outcomes.