by Robin Amster
Last updated: 11:38 AM ET, Fri September 29, 2017
In the wake of the recent hurricanes, many travelers are steering clear of the Caribbean and Florida for awhile, according to a Virtuoso survey of its members.
The luxury travel network's survey sought travelers' reactions to the hurricanes along with the recent earthquakes and domestic wildfires.
Twenty-six percent of advisors reported that clients are not requesting Caribbean or Florida travel for up to six months, suggesting they are taking a wait-and-see approach to booking these destinations.
In other survey findings:
-Sixty-two percent of advisors had clients impacted by Hurricane Irma. Of those, 54 percent did re-book their trips for the Caribbean and Florida.
-Eighty percent of advisors said Irma had the greatest impact on bookings, triggering changes in both short- and long-term travel inquiries.
-Forty-six percent of advisors reported that clients are now looking for warm-weather destinations outside the paths of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
-Of that 46 percent, 28 percent reported an increase in bookings to unaffected Caribbean islands including St. Lucia, Aruba, Curacao, Jamaica, Barbados, and Grand Cayman.
Twenty-two percent said clients had shifted their plans to Mexico. Other advisors cited Hawaii, Central and South America, Europe, southern California, and other southern states as requested destinations.
Virtuoso also noted that Turks and Caicos and some areas of St. Barts will be ready for travelers as early as October. Many of these islands' resorts typically close during September and October for annual refurbishments, which lessened the hurricanes' impact on tourism, it said.
"While the tourism loss caused by this year's hurricane season will easily be hundreds of millions of dollars, it's important to note that each day brings progress to areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria," said Albert Herrera, Virtuoso senior vice president of global product partnerships.
"Some islands will require a longer rebuilding process, but others are on track to reopen their doors for the busy festive season and provide guests with the full island experience," he added. "For anyone who wishes to support these areas, the best thing they can do is visit when doors reopen."
[READMORE]READ MORE: Donate to Caribbean Hurricane Relief Efforts[/READMORE]
Virtuoso advisors also had this advice for travelers impacted by hurricanes and other natural disasters:
-Seventy-one percent of advisors recommended purchasing "cancel for any reason" travel insurance. Other policies may not include weather-related issues or natural disasters, they said.
-Fifty-seven percent advised avoiding travel to hurricane-prone areas altogether from late August to late September, the season most at risk.
In general, advisors suggested clients cancel plans to affected areas-and rebook elsewhere-as early as possible. Buying refundable airfare makes that shift easier, they added.
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