Ebola-Hit Sierra Leone Pulls Out of London Travel Exhibition

Sierra Leone, one of the countries worst hit by the Ebola crisis, has pulled out of this week's World Travel Market in London because of the epidemic. Two other West African countries, Nigeria and Senegal, where the outbreak is deemed to be over, are going ahead with plans to participate.

A World Travel Market (WTM) spokesperson said: “Sierra Leone withdrew its participation from WTM. Guinea and Liberia do not participate at WTM. Senegal and Nigeria have been deemed Ebola-free and will be exhibiting at WTM. WTM is in communication with relevant partners regarding Ebola. We are closely monitoring the situation and are fully supportive of the UK Government’s decision to introduce screening checks at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras (station in London). We will continue to follow Government advice and guidelines and respond accordingly.”

The Ebola crisis and its potential effect on world tourism is to be discussed by industry leaders at WTM on Wednesday.

Australia has imposed a visa ban on countries affected by Ebola, while North Korea has banned all foreign visits due to the crisis.

A number of American states, including New York and California, have imposed quarantine periods on people, including health care workers, who have had direct contact with Ebola patients.

As many as 50,000 people are expected to attend the four-day WTM event. Formerly held at Earls Court in west London, WTM is now in its 35th year. Last year’s WTM generated more than £2.2 billion in travel industry contracts.

Source: The Daily Mail (UK)