Operators monitor travel impact of US action in Venezuela

Operators are keeping a watching brief on Venezuela but do not expect a slowdown in sales to the wider region following last weekend’s surprise US military action.

The seizure of president Nicolas Maduro following military strikes disrupted flights and cruises in the Caribbean, while threats towards Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Greenland raised fears of further instability.

Venezuela has not been featured by UK operators since the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel in 2014. It currently advises against all travel.

Travel industry consultant Andy Cooper said it was “too early” to tell if the US’s actions would impact the Latin America region and Caribbean but warned: “The continual noise and threat of further actions elsewhere around the globe is only going to create more instability in the market.”

He added: “Unless something major happens, people will continue to want to travel, but this might encourage more-cautious behaviour.”

P&O Cruises reorganised travel for 5,000 fly-cruise passengers following flight disruption. Three Tui Airways aircraft chartered to serve its ship Arvia in Barbados returned mid-air to the UK on Saturday amid safety warnings by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Other airlines cancelled ex-UK flights. Princess Cruises delayed Grand Princess’s departure from San Juan until Monday due to flight cancellations.

Richard Hadfield, owner of Journeys A La Carte, had clients briefly delayed in the US after their Barbados flight was cancelled.

“If there is some solace in what has happened it’s that it was over so quickly,” he said.

Caribtours managing director Paul Cleary said there had been “a couple of queries” about travel to the southern Caribbean.

“These events are not helpful but it’s business as usual. We’re monitoring the situation. At the moment, I’m more worried about snow disruption,” he added.

Latin America operators remained on alert but said there had been no noticeable sales impact.

Danny Callaghan, chief executive of Lata, said: “We wouldn’t expect there to be any wider implication for travel to neighbouring countries.”

Journey Latin America managing director Sarah Bradley said: “It probably is a little early to accurately assess the full impact. We are monitoring the situation closely.”

Daniel Benians, managing director of Distinctive Americas, admitted an escalation of the situation could move Latin America “a little further down some clients’ wish lists” but said: “We’re staying positive.”