Local travel agents say they’re receiving calls from those expected to vacation near the island of Haiti, an area ravaged by a devastating earthquake that continues to prompt Capital Region residents to send aid and volunteers.
Ed Plog, owner Empress Travel and Cruises, said he took a call from a person who’s expected to travel to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic — an area that shares the terrain with Haiti.
“This is their busy season and it will be through the end of April,” Plog said.
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic remains the most popular international destination among Capital Region residents, according to the Travel Leaders 2010 Travel Trends survey, released in early January. The recent survey of travel plans for the year put Aruba and Riviera Maya, Mexico as the second and third most popular places abroad.
Plog said he sends several of his clients to Punta Cana and the resort area remains popular with tourists for its white sand beaches and reasonable travel packages.
Glenville’s Trevi Travel also has people traveling to the Dominican Republic, but around Easter.
Owner Julie Chamulak said many vacationers probably do not realize how close the Dominican Republic is to Haiti.
“Travelers don’t necessarily know their geography. They just know they’re going somewhere warm,” Chamulak said, adding that Haiti never emerged as a tourist destination because of the poverty and political unrest.
Scotia resident and travel agent Candy Lent said cruise lines with plans to sail in the area will likely be diverted in the interim.
Royal Caribbean Cruises has a port in Northern Haiti, in Labadee. Lent said cruise ships were working with the government in Haiti to allow aid to be brought in since the port showed no apparent damage to the pier and buildings.
“People who take cruises can be relaxed with weather concerns, because (cruise lines) can move. Those on islands can’t move,” Lent said.
The earthquake also brings up the importance of travel insurance for tourists and those with wedding plans at exotic places, local planners say. Katie O’Malley, owner of Katie O Weddings and Events in Loudonville, said she has consulted couples who have been married in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Mexico.
When she heard about the earthquake, among the many thoughts she had about the incident was that brides with wedding plans in that region may be affected.
“It’s one of those things with destination weddings. It’s always wise to get travel insurance and wedding insurance,” O’Malley said.
Venues are mostly accommodating in such situations, opting to “make good” on the investment, but insurance helps cover the costs involved for certain levels of catastrophe.
Chamulak said people have to do their own research to prepare for. Airlines that cancel flights are most likely to issue credits to customers and vacation insurance would also help travelers who see plane delays, injuries, and baggage losses, she said.
“(Travelers) have to make their own personal decisions,” Chamulak said.
