Local travel agencies monitoring West Africa’s Ebola outbreak

SINGAPORE — Tours to South Africa have not been affected by cancellations as a result of concerns of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, but travel agencies here say they are monitoring the situation.

Dynasty Travel said it has about 300 people travelling to South Africa — an eight-hour flight from West Africa, where the Ebola crisis has spread — between September and December. The region is a popular, niche spot for safaris and visits to national parks.

The agency is working closely with its overseas land operator, and is monitoring the situation based on travel advisories by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Meanwhile, Chan Brothers Travel said it has about two to three groups travelling to South Africa every month between August and December. The agency’s marketing and communications manager Jeremiah Wong said it is still taking bookings, and customers have not expressed any concerns over the tours. CHANNEL NEWSASIA