Postpone, don't cancel your trip

No doubt you've seen the mantra 'Please Postpone; Don't Cancel Your Trip - Save Tourism' already posted on social media. This is the heartfelt request from travel professionals and those in the hospitality sector.

It's certainly sound advice in these unprecedented times, when so many jobs in hospitality and travel are under threat.

Smaller, independent travel businesses are particularly vulnerable due to reduced cashflow - travel designers, small tour agents, wellness retreats, destination wedding specialists - the list goes on.

So, if you have a trip booked over the next few months, try and leave your deposit on account with the company and choose dates later this year or next year.

Most major airlines are allowing one free flight date change, with passengers just needing to pay the difference in cost of the postponed flight. Airlines are also releasing their future schedules to make postponing a flight easier.

This small gesture will help many tourism businesses survive and be ready for when the bounce-back in travel comes.