Just a few days ago I blogged about the swine flu and what may await meetings and events because of it. Now that the World Health Organization has raise the alert level to a Phase 5 and the first death in the United States has been reported, the picture is becoming clearer as reports roll in from travel and meeting managers around the country.
Reuters has reported that a number of companies, including General Electric, Google, LG Electronics and Nokia, have taken steps to restrict business travel to Mexico or have shut down local offices. Chemicals maker DuPont's spokesman Anthony Farina told Reuters, "Travel within Mexico is business critical only, and only if the employee is willing to travel."
Meetings and events scheduled in Mexico are being shut down as well. The Latin American Medical Tourism and Health Congress, set to take place April 27-29 in Monterrey, Mexico, was canceled due to swine flu warnings. The DIA 2nd Latin American Regulatory Conference, set for May 13-15 in Mexico City, has also been postponed.
Hotels and venues are bracing for the impact of cancellations by both groups and individuals. Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which owns 22 properties in Mexico, released a statement Monday: "We are implementing all preventive measures recommended by the authorities for our guests and associates in our Mexico hotels." Hilton Hotels issued a similar statement.
Though Starwood went on to say they had not seen any "material cancellations," USA TODAY reported that InterContinental and Wyndham Hotels have seen a slight increase in cancellations. Meanwhile, online travel agency Travelocity has received few calls, indicating that few people are panicking about their travel plans.
Indeed, a CNN article published Monday quoted a number of travelers who seemed far from worried about contracting the swine flu from their travels.
"It's out there, but what can you do?" Eric Meyer of Lafayette, Colorado, told CNN. "Wash your hands maybe and call it good. Put a mask on? [I'm] not gonna go that far and be that guy yet."
Still, a lot can change over the course of a few days as the number of swine flu cases—and the media coverage—ramps up. Are your meeting attendees asking about the swine flu? Is it affecting your upcoming events?
Reuters has reported that a number of companies, including General Electric, Google, LG Electronics and Nokia, have taken steps to restrict business travel to Mexico or have shut down local offices. Chemicals maker DuPont's spokesman Anthony Farina told Reuters, "Travel within Mexico is business critical only, and only if the employee is willing to travel."
Meetings and events scheduled in Mexico are being shut down as well. The Latin American Medical Tourism and Health Congress, set to take place April 27-29 in Monterrey, Mexico, was canceled due to swine flu warnings. The DIA 2nd Latin American Regulatory Conference, set for May 13-15 in Mexico City, has also been postponed.
Hotels and venues are bracing for the impact of cancellations by both groups and individuals. Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which owns 22 properties in Mexico, released a statement Monday: "We are implementing all preventive measures recommended by the authorities for our guests and associates in our Mexico hotels." Hilton Hotels issued a similar statement.
Though Starwood went on to say they had not seen any "material cancellations," USA TODAY reported that InterContinental and Wyndham Hotels have seen a slight increase in cancellations. Meanwhile, online travel agency Travelocity has received few calls, indicating that few people are panicking about their travel plans.
Indeed, a CNN article published Monday quoted a number of travelers who seemed far from worried about contracting the swine flu from their travels.
"It's out there, but what can you do?" Eric Meyer of Lafayette, Colorado, told CNN. "Wash your hands maybe and call it good. Put a mask on? [I'm] not gonna go that far and be that guy yet."
Still, a lot can change over the course of a few days as the number of swine flu cases—and the media coverage—ramps up. Are your meeting attendees asking about the swine flu? Is it affecting your upcoming events?
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