The Interactive Travel Services Association reports that its members are seeing very few cancellations outside of Mexico. "Many are waiving cancellation and change fees for travel to Mexico and helping with any rebookings associated with Mexican travel, as necessitated by the H1N1 flu virus situation.

"Travelers should act on science, and not on rumors or reports blown out of proportion. The World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issue advisories that are up-to-the-minute and authoritative. The public should continue to rely on them as their primary sources of information on which to base travel-related decisions.

"There are no advisories concerning travel to or throughout the US, to Europe, the Caribbean and a host of other destinations. Travelers can take advantage of extraordinary savings and value now for business and leisure trips in many locations outside of Mexico. By exercising caution and some common sense, and guided by the advice of WHO and CDC, travelers can still go ahead with their plans without undue concern throughout much of the world."

Many B&B and travel associations are encouraging members to educate their employees so that they are doing everything possible to safegaurd the health of guests and themselves, educate their sales and reservations staff so they can respond to any questions from guests about the flu, and institute extra procedures to ensure that door knobs, TV remotes, phone hand sets, etc. are sanitized.
 
Hoteliers may send business-specific questions to DHSPandemic@dhs.gov or contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 888-232-6348. E-mail questions to inquiry@cdc.gov.

As of April 27, there have been no reported cases of swine influenza found in U.S. hotels. The CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico; the World Health Organization advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. 
 
Official resources include the following. Thanks to the California Hotel & Lodging Association for compiling this list.
 
2009 Swine Influenza Event

• Center for Disease Control Twitter feed
• CDC Questions & Answers
• CDC website on the 2009 swine flu outbreak
• One-stop access to U.S. Government swine, avian and pandemic flu information
• AH&LA statement on Swine Influenza - (April 27, 2009)

Lodging Business Planning for Flu Outbreaks (2005)

• AH&LA Flu Preparedness Plan: detailed information on what hotel businesses can do during flu outbreaks
• AH&LA Hotel-Specific FAQs: hotel-specific questions about flu outbreaks
• Preparing for a Flu Pandemic: AH&LA's tips for hotels during an outbreak  

Government Resources for Influenza Outbreaks

• Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic: how to maintain business operations during a flu pandemic outbreak
• Proposed Guidance on Stockpiling of Respirators and Facemasks in Occupational Settings: information about equipment needed during a serious flu outbreak
• CDC/HHS Business Pandemic Planning Checklist: use when planning for a pandemic (November 2005)
• State Pandemic Plans - All 50 U.S. states have pandemic plans, online via this central webpage

Crisis Communications Resources
Risk Communications Resources - Pandemicflu.gov communications resources on swine and avian flu

Has your inn been affected by the swine flu? Have you received any cancellations? Please share your thoughts.