Travel agencies brace for boat tragedy backlash
A Hungarian sightseeing boat sails on the Danube River in Budapest, Sunday. It has been five days since a tourist boat carrying 35 passengers capsized after colliding with a larger vessel on the river. / Yonhap
By Kim Jae-heun
Local travel agencies are searching for alternatives to their cruise programs in Europe in the wake of a sightseeing boat sinking in Hungary.
On Wednesday, the boat carrying 33 Koreans on a package tour along with two Hungarian crewmembers, was involved in a collision with a larger vessel and sank in the Danube, leaving seven dead and 21 missing, according to the foreign ministry. The remaining seven were rescued.
According to the agencies, many tourists have called to check on their river sightseeing bookings in Europe, with many people canceling.
“Our agency has canceled all sightseeing boat programs in Hungary,” a Mode Tour official told The Korea Times, Sunday. “We have recommended two options to our customers ― either a walking sightseeing program or a dinner at a restaurant on a boat deck.
“However, river sightseeing programs in other European countries are still available.”
Hana Tour, the country's largest travel agency, said its cruises were part of a package deal, so it was impossible to cancel them, but it was suggesting alternatives to people who were still concerned about safety.
According to the company, tourists are opting for a night tour of the Hungarian parliament building, which offers views similar to those from a river tour.
“For people who prefer not to go aboard a boat, we are replacing the river cruise program with a visit to coffee shops near the Danube River, which also offer great views of the parliament building. Also, tourists can visit another destination instead.
“For those who still want a river tour, our staff accompanying them give safety instructions twice.”
Hana said it would keep operating its sightseeing boat programs in other European cities, including Paris.
Very Good Tour, the company in charge of the package program, has already suspended all sightseeing boat schedules in Hungary. The company is also allowing customers who have not only booked the sightseeing package, but different programs in other European countries to cancel without any charges.