Some people thinking twice about travelling to Europe following the Paris attacks
Posted November 19, 2015 11:51 am.
Last Updated November 19, 2015 11:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Things are looking much different across Europe in the days following the deadly attacks in Paris.
There is a much heavier police presence at popular landmarks, restaurants, and tourism hotspots. But all this extra security suggests people are becoming hesitant about travelling over there.
Canada has not issued a travel warning, but the US has, saying there could be another potential attack and people need to be careful and have a higher level of personal security.
Travel agent Claire Newell just returned from New York, where — like Europe — she says there are heavily armed officers everywhere. It’s taking longer to get through the airport and there’s a general sense of fear.
“Europe has been really off the radar. People have just not been calling about that; they’ve been calling about their sun destinations… and until things settle, people will be nervous.”
“It very much reminds me of what happened in 9/11. The airport, the police — all levels of security along the way — are heightened and they are vigilant about what’s going on.”
Newell isn’t encouraging people to avoid travel, but she advises that you be extra careful.
“I would never tell people to just sit at home. I’m not telling people to tempt fate; you need to be careful about going into the busiest times. Would I go to the Macy’s Day Parade for Thanksgiving or would I go to the drop at Times Square? Maybe not right now.”
She adds European airlines are accommodating people who have booked trips and want to back out; they’re offering to re-route flights to avoid places like France and Germany.
