With the coronavirus declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), countries and organisations are taking every step necessary to curb the virus and help the people affected by it.

Currently, China has reported over 64,000 cases of novel coronavirus in its mainland, and 28 other countries have also seen several cases. Every industry has been affected by this deadly virus. The travel industry is no exception. People are cancelling their trips to affected countries and taking every measure possible to keep their health in check. In China, where the situation is reportedly the worst, the impact on the hospitality sector has been huge. Brands have been forced to respond and alter their markets accordingly. Hilton Hotels has decided to shut down its operations in China, closing around 150 hotels in the country. These hotels offer around 33,000 rooms, hence the action will have a pretty big impact on the company, and to the travel industry in China.

The worst hit are the hotel, travel, aviation companies which have restricted travel to China and it is forecast that the coronavirus will have a multibillion-dollar impact on the travel industry. Hotels and rental companies like Airbnb are easing cancellation rules and charges because of the virus.