Key facts
- Indian travellers are increasingly avoiding East and Central Africa due to Ebola fears.
Indian travellers are increasingly avoiding East and Central Africa due to Ebola concerns, impacting travel companies. While actual risk is low, perception and media coverage are driving decisions, leading to a rise in travel insurance inquiries and flexible booking requests.
The Ebola outbreak is impacting travel decisions and the tourism industry in Africa, demonstrating how public perception and media coverage can significantly influence consumer behaviour, even when actual risks are perceived as distant.
Indian travellers are increasingly hesitant to visit parts of East and Central Africa this summer due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak, despite the region offering cooler climes. Travel industry executives report a noticeable decline in new booking enquiries and a rise in postponements and rebookings for affected areas. This caution is driven more by the perception of risk, amplified by media coverage and the WHO's declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, rather than the actual immediate threat to most travellers.
Companies like Ziptrrip have observed a 15-20% decrease in new enquiries for East and Central Africa itineraries, alongside an 8-12% increase in requests to postpone or rebook trips. While outright cancellations remain low at 3-5%, the trend indicates a significant shift in travel planning behaviour. Travel protection providers like Asego have seen a surge in policy purchases, particularly among younger demographics, and Ziptrrip reports a 25-30% increase in demand for travel protection and medical assistance coverage. Flexible cancellation and rebooking options are also seeing a roughly 20% rise in demand.