Cheap holidays and flights as virus fears hit travel bookings
As coronavirus causes global travel anxiety, Australian companies are being forced to slash prices on flights and holiday packages — making it possibly the perfect time to book holidays in some parts of the world.
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As coronavirus causes global travel anxiety, Australian companies are being forced to slash prices on flights and holiday packages — making it possibly the perfect time to book holidays in some parts of the world.
Australian airlines are cutting costs to flights in multiple countries — from the high risk China to relatively low risk USA.
Qantas is facing a $150m hit due to travel restrictions across the globe, meaning consumers willing to risk travel in the coming months are in for some significant savings.
Those hoping the travel restrictions get lifted soon can score flights to Shanghai for just $544 return.
Qantas have cancelled all flights from Sydney to China until March 29th, and are likely to continue if the virus reaches pandemic level.
Flights to Japan are also heavily discounted with return flights from Sydney only $694 with Qantas.
Qantas is also offering a $880 return fare between Sydney and Los Angeles and $254 to Vanuatu.
Budget airline Jetstar took their low cost manifesto to new heights earlier this month, offering just $378 flights to Tokyo with free returns, which were quickly snapped up.
This afternoon Jetstar was offering fares from $31 between Sydney and Avalon, $209 one-way to Ho Chi Minh City, $199 to Bali, and $149 to fly from Sydney to Perth.
Air New Zealand have offered extraordinary fares of $69 one way from Auckland to Melbourne, and a $79 one way from Auckland to Sydney or Brisbane.
Travel bookings sites Webjet is offering $40 off all domestic airfares booked today or tomorrow.
For some holiday-makers, the horror of the Diamond Princess cruise ship — which has had four fatalities and almost 700 confirmed cases — was enough to put any potential cruise on the backburner.
But those looking for an ocean getaway in the coming months are in luck, with Princess Cruises hosting their “best deal ever” with Asia cruises starting at just $738.
Tourism and risk management expert for UTS Dr David Beirman said that people should take advantage of these sales and not write off overseas travel altogether.
“These companies want to get bums on seats and backs on beds,” Dr Beirman said.
“There will always be a calculated risk when you travel … but if you were a gambling person, I would say it’s a good bet to travel,” he said.
Dr Beirman said he has taken two overseas trips in recent weeks, and agreed that with low prices in low risk areas such as LA, booking a holiday now might be a perfect time.
Originally published as Cheap holidays and flights as virus fears hit travel bookings