Effects of Influenza A (H1N1) Felt by Tourism

Date: 30 June 2009

New Zealand’s tourism industry is continuing to feel the effects of Influenza A (H1N1), with arrivals from Asia expected to be down till at least August.

The most recent visitor arrival statistics to New Zealand for the month of May 2009 show marked decreases in visitors from China (-32.8%), Japan (-41.8%) and Korea (-54.4%).

Provisional four-weekly arrivals figures and industry feedback from Asia suggest the picture is likely to remain similar for June and July.

With Influenza A (H1N1) continuing to spread the New Zealand Government, like most governments, has moved to a ‘management’ phase of the disease.

When travellers arrive in New Zealand they will no longer be screened for Influenza A, but health officials remain at major airports where travellers can present themselves if unwell.

In many countries, including New Zealand, this means active testing of incoming travellers and quarantining has largely ceased and Tamiflu will only be provided to people who are ill, and who either have more severe illnesses or are at risk of developing more severe illnesses.

Responsibility has now moved to travellers to keep themselves well and, if they become ill, get appropriate treatment as necessary and keep themselves away from others.

Visitors who feel ill are still being advised to telephone the free advice line on 0800 611 116, which is staffed by registered nurses and provides free information and advice. Translation services can be arranged.

Aside from a small number of exceptions, international travellers will in most cases be responsible for the costs of their own treatment should they fall sick in New Zealand. Visitors are being advised to have adequate travel insurance to cover any possible medical costs.

Healthcare costs may be covered for some visitors if they become very ill, or are at risk of becoming very ill.

Pandemic

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there have now been almost 60,000 reported cases of Influenza A worldwide since the disease was first identified.

Though still described as "moderate" in severity, the WHO raised the alert level to "phase 6" because of the geographic spread of the disease.

Neither WHO nor the UN World Tourism Organisation have been recommending travel restrictions as a result of the outbreak.

Tourism to New Zealand

In the sensitive North Asian markets there is still much media interest in the effects and spread of Influenza A.

Anecdotal feedback from China’s local industry indicates that local media interest is keeping the disease top of mind in China.

Tourism New Zealand Regional Manager North Asia Mark Frood says until there is a vaccine or the virus has run its course, he believes that outbound travel from China will remain in decline.

"Visitor numbers in June and July are expected to continue to be down on last year, but operators are confident that recovery will be swift when the virus’s spread begins to wane," he says.

Feedback from the Japanese market is that the number of cancellations to the US, Canada, Europe and Australia are far eclipsing the numbers cancelled to New Zealand.

The majority of cancellations came from large school groups with school authorities not prepared to take the risk. A small number of schools have rebooked into October, November, and December.

"Agents feel that the flu-effect will abate around August and things should start to get better from then on," Japan regional manager Jason Hill says.

With the disease’s spread (it is now in nearly 120 countries), media are tending to focus on the situation in their own countries, with no particular focus on New Zealand.

The recent exception was Thailand, where the spread of the disease in New Zealand made headline news last week. Although latest stats show visitor numbers continue to increase from this market, there have been further cancellations for July which will have an impact on future arrivals.

In Western markets the picture is quite different. In America, despite the 47 or more deaths on the east coast, there is little flu coverage.

Australia, New Zealand’s biggest visitor market, now has one of the highest rates of infection in the world, around the same number as the UK, and behind only Mexico, the US, Canada and Chile.

Outbound travel, however, has not been affected. Australian visitors to New Zealand in May 2009 increased by 15 per cent, taking the number of Aussies to a new record of over 1 million visitors in any one year.

What to do

What hasn’t changed is that as a business operator it’s important you know what you can do to keep yourself, your family and colleagues safe from Influenza A (H1N1).

Please note the public health messages in the flyers attached below. Washing and drying hands, covering coughs and sneezes and keeping away from people who are sick, can help keep you safe.

The New Zealand Department of Labour has useful information and practical advice for businesses on what you can do to prepare for an influenza pandemic. Visit their website.

We recommend that you print the traveller Q&A and make it available to all your customers as they check in, or make the flyer available in rental cars, campervans or other visitor facilities.

Please replace any out of date information. It’s our responsibility to make sure that our visitors are as well-informed as possible.

Information for Visitors to New Zealand - Influenza A H1N1 Swine Flu.pdf

Influenza A (H1N1) Travel Health Notice 26 June 2009 approved by Ministry of Health.PDF

Source: Tourism New Zealand Feature