It's Safe To Travel PATA Boss Says As Brunei Industry Faces Collapse
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - Facing certain ruin Brunei's already shaky travel industry is to appeal to the government for immediate assistance.

"If there is no help soon a number of us will surely collapse," said a leading agent speaking on behalf of other travel industry members.

Their worries began with the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) two months ago which spread fear and panic among travellers.

"And if we collapse it will further hurt the economy creating more joblessness," he said.

As a consequence there were travel cancellations on a massive scale especially in the region that left the already ailing local travel in the worst situation that they ever faced.

What the local travel people expect are easy, no interest loans to tidy over the difficulties.

"We have rents and salaries to meet. Tour coach instalments to the banks and finance companies are mounting. All that is frightening. This is a crisis whereby a whole industry faces collapse," another worried agent commented.

Meanwhile Mr Peter de Jong, President and CEO of Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) said in a letter to members that the current panic against travel was totally unfounded. "Travel experience" was not contributory to spreading Sars, he claimed.

"There is no good reason why people shouldn't be travelling in the same numbers as previously," he declared.

He said he wanted to share his personal impressions of a presentation by Dr David Heymann, Executive Director of World Health Organisation (WHO), which he attended on April 28 in Bangkok.

Dr. Heymann was in Bangkok to address the heads of state of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) plus China (PRC) and Hong Kong SAR on the SARS situation facing the region.

"At time when the SARS paranoia is having a devastating effect on our industry, I felt it important to listen to this authoritative WHO spokesman who came to share the latest findings on SARS with Asia's government leaders, and report these findings to you, our members," the top travel association official told members in a circular.

"Dr. Heymann said in effect there was nothing about the SARS virus that should prevent people from travelling. He was concerned that the WHO's efforts to keep the public informed about the spread of the virus had the unfortunate effect of discouraging travel to, from and through our region," Mr de Jong said.

"Dr. Heymann regretted the public perception that travellers were exposed to undue risks of contracting SARS. He said: 'We want tourists to understand that risk is greater, as they perceive it, than it actually is.'

"He told the press: 'We realise that the travel industry is hurting and we want to help get the risk perception right. Now that effective monitoring and exit screening is in place, there is no good reason why people shouldn't be travelling in the same numbers as previously.'

"Importantly, Dr. Heymann confirmed that the travel experience was not a contributor to the spread of SARS. He emphasized that the public perception of this virus, which has caused a serious downturn in travel and tourism, was based upon an inaccurate interpretation of information that had been provided by the WHO to governments and the public.

"I think it is extremely important for PATA members and the travel and tourism industry at large to know that this information came from a senior executive of the world's foremost public health authority. It is essential that this reassurance be communicated onwards throughout our industry and to the public.

"Dr. Heymann reported the good news that Vietnam had successfully managed to contain the spread of the disease and that SARS had "peaked" in several other countries (but not China (PRC)). If this trend continues, it will probably result in several other destination being taken off the WHO list of SARS affected areas in the coming days and weeks. Today, April 30, the travel advisory for Toronto was lifted. These are encouraging signs.

"Dr. Heymann admitted: 'SARS has had an unnecessarily negative impact on the economy, travel, made and tourism because of unrealistic fear. The public must make better judgements.'

"It is PATA's role to provide accurate and balanced information so that the public can make informed travel decisions.

"For too long the public perception has been that travellers and the travel industry were the culprits and conduits responsible for the transmission of SARS. I am relieved to learn that our industry is not to blame, nor should our customers be penalised or discouraged. Travel is as safe as it was several months ago.

"Together, let's get this message out to the global maketplace - quickly and effectively," the top travel official urged. 

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