Paris in mourning

BANGKOK  Travel agents across Europe were checking on their clients in Paris, cutting stays early to get customers back home.
Travelnews Switzerland reported that 150 Swiss tourists who were visiting Paris when the attacks took place were given agency assistance to return home.
City break holidays to Paris are popular with Swiss travellers.
“Most of the passengers we reached on Saturday morning and they were assisted to take an early trip home,” a leading tour operator told the Swiss trade media.
France Honours Attack Victims As The Nation Mourns“Public life no longer exists in Paris, cafes, museums and Disneyland are now closed. The attacks in Paris is a catastrophe, the scale is tragic.”
Tourism Allianz Global head, Andy Keller added: “November is low season in Paris… we have decided that all departures will be cancelled for the time being.”
Keller said he expected travel to Paris would be postponed until after national mourning in France and in Paris at least the remainder of this week. He estimates that around 80% of Swiss city break travellers had cancellation insurance that covered the cost of returning home early.
Last Friday, evening Paris Orly Airport was closed and all flights cancelled. There were delays at Charles de Gaulle airport due to security measures.
All security measures have been increased and stringent border controls since then. Due to increased security at all airports across Europe passengers can expect delays. They should allow considerably more time for check-in.
At London Gatwick Airport, on Saturday, a Frenchman, who had a gun with him were arrested. Another man was taken into police custody over his refusal to open a suit case.
In Amsterdam Schiphol a plane bound for Paris was evacuated because of a twitter threat.
In the US Marriott International reported that all of its guests and employees at its 15 properties in Paris had been accounted for and there was no direct impact to the welfare of guests or hotel property.
“Given the ongoing situation we are waiving cancellation fees for guests holding existing reservations at all 15 Marriott properties in Paris through to 28 November,” the group’s statement read.

sourced:ttrweekly.com