Mother Nature was most certainly NOT in a good mood last night because in less than 24 hours she’s used three natural events to disrupt travellers and affect the travel industry.
Ski resorts were cut off in Europe, tsunami warnings were issued in the US and snowstorms prevented tourists from flying in and out of Japan.
All that in less than 24 hours.
Here’s a break down of how natural disasters may be affecting you or your clients’ holidays today:
In Europe…
Rare snow conditions in the Swiss Alps have left tourists stranded in popular ski resorts, again.
For the second time this month, Zermatt in Switzerland and St. Anton in Austria have been left isolated by snowfall and according to Bloomberg, the avalanche danger warning is at its highest.
It’s the first time in almost two decades that snow conditions have been so severe. The last time was in 1999 when an avalanche hit Evolene, killing 12 people.
Tourists are being told to listen to authorities and follow restrictions imposed on ski and walking areas.
In the US…
Tsunami warnings were issued for parts of the United States and Canada overnight after a 7.9 magnitude quake struck near Alaska’s Kodiak Island.
The severe shake prompted the National Tsunami Center to send alerts out to locals in coastal states, including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii.
A follow-up alert was sent to residents a few hours later, advising them that the risk was over, The Daily Mail reported.
According to Homeland Security, there was no damage caused by the earthquake.
In Japan…
Some 250 international flights were cancelled to and from Tokyo yesterday after a winter storm delivered the city’s “heaviest snowfall” in four years.
According to News.com.au, some 16cm of snow fell in the capital city on Monday forcing airlines to delay or cancel services.
Among the disrupted operations was Qantas’ 10 pm service from Haneda Airport, which left four hours after its scheduled time.
Japan Airlines’ evening Sydney service was also delayed by around five hours yesterday and, the news website said that one Korean aircraft needed to be de-iced twice.