Should you postpone travel plans until things simmer down?

 

YES, you should postpone if you can be sure, not just hope, that the overall situation will get better. Things can remain the same, perhaps get better, or even worse. The question is when and how long will it take for Iran, Israel and the United States to stop firing missiles and drones.

Supply of crude oil and natural gas through the Persian Gulf has been severely disrupted, causing the price of petroleum products to rise considerably. Who would have thought that diesel was raised by 80 sen thrice in three consecutive weeks—on March 12, 19 and 26.

This directly impacted road transport operators, as almost all local commercial vehicles are powered by diesel engines. While express bus operators are allocated a quota of between 6,000 to 10,000 litres of subsidised diesel a month at RM1.88 per litre, tour bus operators get none.

Will diesel prices be increased again by yet another 80 sen come April 2?

Even at the current price of RM5.52 per litre, road and ferry operators would rather suspend operations if they cannot increase fares or consolidate trips by running trips only when their vehicles or vessels are fully loaded with passengers.

But tour buses are for private groups with their own itineraries. Passengers need to be fetched from the airport on arrival and later sent back on time to catch their departure flights. In between, they are picked up and dropped off at various hotels, restaurants, and many sightseeing stops.

These passengers cannot be combined with other tour groups with different itineraries, routes and schedules, and would require tourist guides who could speak their language, although tourists of various nationalities could stay in the same hotel and share the same buffet breakfast.

In normal times, many things have been taken for granted. But if diesel prices do not come down, road transport charges will have to rise, and prices of most goods and services would similarly increase. This is happening not just in Malaysia, but also in many parts of the world.

Hence, Malaysians should not postpone their holidays if they plan to travel within Southeast Asia, East Asia or Oceania, as these regions are far from the conflict zones.

Delays could prove costly if costs were to rise steeply, and weaker operators may dishonour contracts or just fold up.

As such, it would be wise for those going on overseas holidays to choose tour operators wisely. It would be foolish to shop online, compare prices and fall for bargains.

One must meet face to face with staff of tour companies to scrutinise their dependability, trustworthiness and reliability.

Instead of running all over town and visiting just a few tour companies in a day, those who plan to go on holidays should go to a one-stop centre, such as the MATTA Fair to be held from April 3 to 5 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

Over the past decades, many visitors to the consumer exhibition left with great bargains.

Today, they better ensure the tour operators they pick can deliver what they promise, and this also depends on their overseas counterparts honouring the agreements and agreed prices.

In destinations critically impacted by diesel supply disruptions, many activities would grind to a halt. In the past, it was prudent to hold on to your money in an economic downturn.

Now, it would be foolish to do so, as prices of goods and services would skyrocket, if they are at all available. 

 YS Chan is a tourism, transport and training consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.