BENGALURU: The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID 2019) with its epicentre in China, has led to a drastic dip in the number of travellers from Benglauru International Airport (BIA) to South-East Asian countries particularly Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
A huge number of passengers have cancelled their trips to stay away from these countries in the vicinity of China where several cases of the virus have been reported. Indigo, Air India and Air Asia are the major aviation companies which provide flights to these countries.
Vishal Nahar, director of Suraksha Holidays said that there is a dip of about 30 to 40 per cent in bookings to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Thailand. Tourism arrivals in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mainland China and Macau will take a significant hit as result and are expected to dip by 25 to 30 per cent.
Flights from Kolkata and Mumbai to China have been stopped completely.
The coronavirus scare has made passengers look to European countries for travel and tourism though it is more expensive, he added.
Vishwa Alampur from Makemytrip, Koramangala told Deccan Chronicle that there are absolutely no enquiries pertaining to South-East Asian regions due to the spread of the cornonavirus.
Until the fear subsides, it is tough for the tourism sector to pick up inSouth-East Asian region, he said.
