These South American countries have been in turmoil for several weeks. Travel agencies are organizing themselves to ensure the safety of tourists.
Which countries in South America are in turmoil?
Popular movements have shaken several countries in this region in recent weeks. At Chili, despite the lifting of the state of emergency on October 27, almost daily demonstrations take place in Santiago and in the provinces, sometimes causing clashes with the police. A constitutional revision agreement signed on Friday could ease tensions. In Bolivia, the resignation of President Evo Morales has plunged the country into insecurity. Several roads are blocked, including those leading to airports. Popular movements are also taking place in Honduras and at Venezuela, but these countries are already “discouraged” or “strongly discouraged” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Few travel agencies take the risk of sending tourists there. In Ecuador, the situation returned to normal after two weeks of riots in October.
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“We must keep in mind that these troubles only take place in large cities,” insists Bernard Bonnet, development director for Latin America at Maisons du Voyage (Figaro group). Most regions of these countries, such as Patagonia (Argentina, Chile) or the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) are relatively sheltered from tensions. But the stay can be disrupted insofar as it is necessary to transit through the capitals to get there. ”
You are there: what precautions to take?
French people present on site or on their way to these countries should consult the “last minutes” of the Quai d’Orsay. Concerning Chili , the France Diplomatie site indicates: “The situation is changing, it is therefore recommended to exercise particular vigilance and avoid any gathering, to follow the recommendations of the authorities and to keep regularly informed of the evolution of the situation”.
For the Bolivia , the French authorities consider “preferable to postpone any non-essential trip, until further notice. If it is impossible to postpone your trip […], it is especially important to stay away from gatherings ”.
About the Venezuela , “It is advisable to stay away from demonstrations, to limit your movements to what is strictly necessary on November 16 [jour de mobilisation nationale, ndlr], stock up on supplies and regularly recharge your communication devices ”.
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When you book through a travel agency, it must be your main point of contact. It is supposed to provide full support to its customers and bear all costs associated with a change of program. “If the situation requires it, we modify the itinerary with the support of our local correspondents,” explains Emmanuel Cohen, deputy general manager of Voyageurs du monde. In October, during the two weeks of tension in Ecuador, our customers were able to travel normally but we canceled the stop in Quito. Currently, in Bolivia, we avoid La Paz and Sucre and, if necessary, we send travelers through border countries, such as Peru or Chile ”.
You are planning to leave: can you cancel your stay?
“When the Quai d’Orsay recommends a postponement of travel, the regulations allow agency clients to cancel their stay at no cost,” recalls Eric Balian, Managing Director of Terres d’Aventure. “However, we prefer to offer them a postponement or another destination on the same dates and free of charge.” The agency is canceling all its departures to Bolivia until at least mid-next week. “We are monitoring the situation from day to day in order to decide whether or not to resume departures to Bolivia,” he adds. “If a client wants to cancel a stay planned in several months, we advise him to wait because the situation may calm down by then”, insists Bernard Bonnet of Maisons du Voyage.
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If you have organized your stay without going through a travel agency, the postponement or reimbursement of the plane ticket is not guaranteed. These commercial gestures are at the discretion of the airlines. Last October, following the tensions that were taking place in Ecuador, Air France offered several options to holders of a ticket to Quito or Guayaquil: postponement free of charge, change of destination or refund in the form of a credit note. In February 2019, the company cut off flights to Caracas, Venezuela. In this case, the reimbursement of tickets is systematic.
On the other hand, it is difficult to use your travel insurance if you give up traveling for personal fear. The consequences of riots, strikes, popular movements and restrictions on free movement are reasons generally excluded by insurance companies.
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