Albertans, Chinese tourists cancel trips to limit coronavirus spread

Travellers to and from China are cancelling their trips as confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus continue to climb.

Calgarian Dan Hong says he planned to visit his mother-in-law, who lives in a nursing home in China, but will be calling off the vacation to avoid getting infected.

"I have some concern about bringing anything back to Calgary or Canada because then I'm that person that's responsible for all of other people's pain," Hong said. "I will cancel my vacation. Even if it's a loss of ticket, I will do that."

As of Tuesday afternoon, health officials had confirmed one case in Canada of coronavirus and two presumptive cases, being tested in a lab.

To prevent further spreading of the virus, Global Affairs Canada has issued a warning against all travel to coronavirus-affected region of China.

China has suspended all flights and other travel methods out of Wuhan, the city at the heart of the outbreak. The World Health Organization has reported at least 106 deaths out of more than 4,500 confirmed cases in China, as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Travel Alberta suspends promotions

That caution has extended to those travelling elsewhere in the country.

Travel Alberta has suspended its activities in China, where it usually actively promotes Alberta as a tourist destination. The agency won't resume those activities until the situation improves, CEO Royce Chwin said.

Chwin said he has heard from hotel operators that Chinese visitors are cancelling their bookings. He's encouraging operators to offer full refunds, in order to make it as easy as possible on the guests in a difficult time.

"We want them to come back," Chwin said. "This is part of who we are as Alberta and Canada, and recognizing this is real special circumstance."

He said it's too early to know the effect on Alberta's tourism industry but hopes that goodwill will pay off.

3rd biggest international market

Travel agent Katie Hao said Chinese airlines are so far offering full refunds for cancelled flights. She's received more than 100 calls in the past week for cancellations. Many Calgarians, she said, had planned to visit family to mark the Lunar New Year, which took place last Saturday.

''They're afraid if they [go] back to China, they cannot [get] back to Canada," said Hao, who works with Top Canada Tours in Calgary.

Tourists from China are the third biggest international market for the province, according to Travel Alberta, with the busiest season being from late spring into summer.

Canada's health minister has said more cases of coronavirus in Canada are likely but that the risk remains low.

U of C issues statement 

The University of Calgary has advised any of its students and faculty who are in mainland China not to travel if they become ill. It suggests they follow recommendations from the Canadian government or the local government where they are.

"We are also developing contingency plans to ensure the ongoing safety of our campus community," the university said in a statement Tuesday.