WALLINGFORD - Two major terror attacks within just four months in two popular European travel destinations has left some people shaken up. Others plan to soldier on.
“I'm not afraid,” said Gayle Syat, a frequent flier from Wallingford. “I've always enjoyed traveling. And I always will.”
She travels, often times abroad, two to three times annually.
“I've been to Brussels. I've been to Paris. As a matter of fact, I want to go back to Paris,” she said.
Syat is among a group of loyal clients of Wallingford’s Custom Travel who thrilled to be planning their next trip, which will likely be to Europe.
“I think the more you read, the more you educate yourself about the area of the world that you're going to, your fears and your anxieties will lesson,” said Erin Petersen of Wallingford.
If you do travel, another travel expert suggests having faith in those who aim to protect you.
“Aside from the police presence that we’re seeing at security lines, there are tons of people behind the scenes also working to keep everyone safe,” said Phil Derner, Founder of NYC Aviation.
Since the 9/11 terror attacks, the "See Something, Say Something" campaign has been promoted heavily. But, Derner suggests travelers need to go beyond that.
“Maybe even better themselves by learning first aid so that they can act before emergency personnel arrive,” said Derner.
But Custom Travel is unlike other agencies, which have told FOX 61 they’ve had cancellations galore since yesterday’s Brussels bombings.
“A lot of wonderful things to do with some beautiful sites and people don't want to give up those kind of opportunities to travel overseas,” said Veronica Kastukevich, the owner of Custom Travel, which has been in business for 19 years.
Given the world climate, travel agents are suggesting travelers purchase trip cancellation insurance.
“Travel insurance protects you from any terrorist incidents that happen within 30 days of your scheduled travel date,” said Kastukevich, who’s been in the travel industry for 30 years.
But, she says, the policy covers you only if the U.S. Department of State Department has issued a travel alert, which it did: the alert is for all of Europe, and is effective from March 22 through June 20. The alert indicates terrorist groups are continuing to plan imminent attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation.
The same was done after the Paris attacks last November, but it expired February 24.
Travel is, of course, an industry that fairly regularly must cross its collective fingers as a result of world events.
“We’ve encountered the Zika virus,” said Kastukevich. “We went through Ebola. So, in our industry, there's always a lot of factors out there and right now, unfortunately, we have Paris and Belgium.”
But the future forecast is always bright, in her eyes.
“I always say travel is like medicine. When you go, you come back, and you feel 100 times better.”