Swine flu could hit Mexico trips

May 1 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH Academy expedition to Mexico could be in doubt after the swine flu pandemic threw Big County travel plans into disarray.

Pupils were due to travel to South America next month to take part in the World Team Challenge exhibition.

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said no decision had yet been made to cancel the trip.

But she added that the school was taking travel advice from the Foreign Office.

The 14 pupils involved recently took part in a sponsored abseil down the Falkirk Wheel to raise money for the trip, which is set to cost more than £50,000 and has previously received cash from Perth Common Good Fund.

The Fair City’s Girl Guides were also awarded a £600 grant from the fund in February to allow six members to undertake a community project in the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico.

They were planning to visit Our Cabana, one of four worldwide centres owned by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

The group are scheduled to fly out in the last fortnight in July alongside guides from across the globe.

A spokesperson for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) – the body responsible for the Perth group if they make the trip – said: “We are monitoring the swine flu situation on a global level and we are in constant contact with Our Cabana.’’

Meanwhile, many local holidaymakers have also had their dream trips dashed following the outbreak.

A spokesperson for tour operator Thomson, whose Perth branch is inside the city’s St John’s Centre, said: “We have decided to cancel all outbound flights operating to Cancun and Cozumel up to and including May 8.

“Our customers are our number one priority and we are giving those who wish to return home the opportunity to do so.

“Customers due to travel to Mexico before May 9 will have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value.

“Alternatively, they can cancel their holiday and receive a full refund without incurring any cancellation charge.

“Those customers due to travel between May 9 and May 22, inclusive, will have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value already booked.

“Customers who have made bookings via a travel agent should contact their agent directly to cancel or amend their booking and for further information,” she said.

As the PA went to press there were 168 suspected deaths from the virus in Mexico alone, where the disease originated.

Five people in the UK are known to have contracted the disease but are responding well to treatment.