NEW YORK -- Tour operators pitched in to help travelers beset by
difficulties following the terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington.
Operators waived cancellation fees and penalties and, with the
cooperation of suppliers, did what they could to accommodate
clients who were stranded by the disaster.
"Everybody's working very well with each other," said Hank
Phillips, president of the National Tour Association. "I'm not
aware of any issues that haven't been resolved."
Phillips said cancellations are not widespread.
"We are advising operators and they are encourage travelers to
remain calm and let events unfold a bit before making a decision
now at the height of everyone's concern."
"It is as an unprecedented time for us as it is for everyone in
the industry," said Robin Tauck, co-president of Tauck World
Discovery. "We have 151 tours currently in operation worldwide.
About 50 [were] departing between Sept. 11 and 13, and dozens more
[were to return] then. The majority are operating smoothly."
The company has only had to cancel two tours so far, but much
remains in the air at the moment. Tauck said cancellations have
been few so far.
"It's remarkable that people are turning from the fear factor of
yesterday to 'I want to go on with my trip,' " she said. "Many are
transferring to another departure.
"It seems to be that American spirit of going on. I think the
next few days will tell."
Kingston, Pa.-based specialist New York City Vacation Packages
assisted clients who were already in New York.
The company sent an e-mail to travel agents offering to help
travelers in New York who did not book with the company.
"We're doing whatever we can to take part in history," said Joel
Cohen, vice president. "I told our staff this morning, 'If you feel
like me, you didn't feel like coming in this morning, but this is a
time people will remember like when Kennedy was assassinated."
"What I want to accomplish -- not just individually, but as a
company -- is I want to know that we did some good," Cohen said.
"We can't go to New York and lift rubble, but what we can do is
help people."
Grand Bahama Vacations offers special room
rate
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Grand Bahama Vacations is offering a
$50 distressed room rate to all clients stranded at the Resort
& Casino at Bahamia in Freeport, Bahamas, during the FAA's
flight restrictions.
The distressed room rate at the Resort & Casino at Bahamia
also is offered to clients booked on Grand Bahama Vacations'
packages and staying at other resorts on Grand Bahama Island.
While the FAA granted limited flight service, individual
airlines and airports are operating on a case-by-case basis.
Laker Airways, the airline serving Grand Bahama Vacations'
passengers, has canceled several flights through Sept. 14 and will
determine the status of other flights as they come up.
Any passengers booked on flights to Freeport via Laker
Airways/Grand Bahama Vacations through Sept. 18 can cancel their
trip and receive a full refund or rebook for a future date with no
fees charged.
To confirm, cancel or rebook reservations, call (800)
545-1300.
Driftwood Vacations, a sister company of Grand Bahama Vacations
offering packages to Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas, also
offers a $50 distressed room rate to clients who cannot return home
and are booked on the operator's programs. Clients staying at all
Sandals or Beaches resorts and unable to fly home were comped up to
three nights due to travel restrictions. If guests still were
unable to fly home, they were charged $200 per room, per night, for
the remainder of the stay. Clients with reservations for travel for
all Sandals and Beaches resorts from Sept. 11 through 30 can
reschedule or revise their booking any time until Sept. 21 without
any fees. The rates will be protected until Dec. 31, 2002. In
addition, cancellations will be permitted without penalty for
guests scheduled to travel between Sept. 11 and Sept. 25. Divi
Resorts will waive no show and cancellation penalties for arrivals
from Sept. 11 through 25. Cancellations made from Sept. 25 until
Oct. 1 will be allowed to be rebooked with no penalties, if they
are rebooked for travel by April 1. Viva Resorts is in the process
of forumlating its policies.
-- Kim Scholz