- guardian.co.uk, Sunday September 30 2001 19.14 BST
- The Observer, Sunday September 30 2001
With the rush to the shops for gas masks and some people even registering for nuclear bunkers (yes, book your place now for £30,000), it seems to me there's never been a better time to travel. The events of 11 September may mean air travel feels a bit daunting, but there are many pros to outweigh the cons right now. So, if you think travelling isn't a good idea, here are a few reasons to change your mind:
· You're never again going to be lavished with the time, attention, expertise and good deals available now from your travel agent or tour operator.
· I rang a ski operator this week to check some information. Masses of useful, informative, expert knowledge came gushing down the phone. I wasn't even put on hold. Make the most of this while it lasts!
· Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the best thing you can do to help New York is to go and spend your money. Eat in restaurants, stay in hotels and do your Christmas shopping. If tourism collapses, the city will have big job losses to add to its grief.
· Consider a trip to New England. During the autumn, as the leaves fall from the trees in many, beautiful shades of brown it is normally impossible to find a romantic log cabin. This year the choice is all yours.
· Keep the travel industry alive by keeping on the move, otherwise there won't be choice and good prices in a year's time because so many companies will have gone to the wall. Support the low-cost airlines and charter carriers in particular. Many countries may give state aid to their national carriers. If that happens the likes of EasyJet, Ryanair, Buzz and Go will find it even harder to survive. These firms have opened up whole corners of Europe, from Stockholm to Biarritz, which were time-consuming and expensive to reach before.
· If you can't face airports and planes, book a holiday cottage or hotel in Britain. They need the business after foot and mouth disease, and you're likely to get an extremely warm welcome. Consult The Which? Hotel Guide 2002, published last week, for the latest in restaurants with rooms, classic country houses, romantic escapes, and stylish places to stay.
· Try not to write off journeys to all Muslim countries because of a handful of terrorists. Our report on Uzbekistan in Escape last week showed how the people you meet on the ground often have as little sympathy with the ideas of Osama bin Laden as you and I do. Countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Morocco depend on our visits. Many families will suffer immense hardship if we no longer go there and spend our money.
· If there is no demand, tour operators and airlines will pull out of some countries. Travel will rise in price and again become the domain of the rich rather than the masses.
· If we all stop travelling, we'll all suffer - from the farmers who supply hotels with fresh vegetables to the cocoa pickers in South America who supply the chocolate that goes on your hotel pillow.
· Finally, any conflict could drag on for years. Surely you are going to need a holiday at some point during that time.
