Will you be cancelling your coming holidays to India?

Haylo

For goodness sakes, after a terrorist attack is about the safest highest security time to visit anywhere! Try telling them that if you're blown to bits you personally undertake not to sue them...

Fingers crossed that your travel insurance covers pusillanimous employers.

You must be so disappointed, I know you were looking forward to the trip.

__________________
The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Cardamom

Hahah!! Thanks for the cheer-up, folks I appreciate it!

-C

Redmarsy

I am not sure if the proximity to Mumbai of your travel location(s) in India is very important.

Comparing it to Europe: "when something happens in Italy, it is not necessary not to go to Sweden" is also not very fair.

It is not about the geographic distance, it is more about the political distance. The difference is that Italy and Sweden are two different countries, with different political situations.

Terrorist attacks have occured at several places in India:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronol...dents_in_India

Mostly in the Northern parts of the country: bigger cities, mostly cities in which islamic and hindustan people live together, or for example the northern regions near the border of Pakistan. In those cities/ regions there's a tension between these two groups of people, which is not as present in the parts of India further south.

I'd say that anywhere in those mentioned regions/ cities there is risk of terrorist attacks. It has happened before and again and again, unfortunately.

True, however, as many other people have said, that one can get killed/injured in many places around the world, if not by a terrorist attack, than it could indeed by a traffic accident (and in poorer countries infected blood) or more common causes of death, such as diseases.

The question you should ask yourself is how much risk you are willing to take to get the value you are getting from travelling.

I personally choose to take the risk, and go ahead with my travel to India, including Mumbai, Dehli, Varanasi, most of all because I love the country and I believe it worth it to take the risk to be at a place where I love to be.

I also have a "f*k the terrorists" attitude: I will never let those people win and change my plans. Furthermore, I am coming to India to do volunteer work and help the people, and I am not going to turn my back on them at this important moment!

However, if India and Pakistan go to war, it becomes different: then two nations, or at least their governments, choose to fight and use violence, and a country in war is not a place I think a tourist should be.
A country, however, that is suffering from a relatively small amount of insane people, will suffer even more if we all choose not to visit India, however valid that choice might be. Without tourism a lot of people will loose their jobs, terrorists will gain more power, which also means that they can do more harm.

We have to realize that it can happen to all of us. And make our own decisions about the amount of risk we are willing to take.

I'll take it, I respect all of those who don't, and I hope to get to see those who continue their journey to India, in one of the world's loveliest countries!

As an end note, I'd like to say that my heart goes out to all of those that have lost their lives in Mumbai and other terrorist attacks around the world. Their destiny has brought me to tears, and I can only hope that the world will unite and cooperate to fight those that harm our society as a whole.

jodiesner

Hello there in London, my wife and I are leaving on Dec 7th to Trivandrum, it will be our 3rd holiday in India.
I have to confess, that for the first time there is no enthusiasm like before other trips. I don't fear a terrorist attack at all there in Kerala, so Mumbai should be no reason to cancel a trip to that place. Remember the bombings in Madrid and London, why should foreigners resign of traveling for example to Rome, Berlin or Vienna... Mumbai-Trivandrum is about 1.500 km. What I fear is that if (Hindu-ruled) Indian government continues to put oil in the fire directly by accusing Pakistan being involved in the Mumbai attacks. This could be a reason for Hindu-fundamentalists taking "revenge" on normal moslem poulation. I hope this will not happen! Because it could happen everywhere in India where Moslems and Hindu's are living up to now in "peace".
India impressed me (I have been in Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala) because of the different cultures, nice people, excellent food, it seems to be 5 centuries in one country.
So I will be on my way to there again, despite those "idiots", who believe that they are martyrs and now surrounded by virgins in paradise...
Best regards from Frankfurt also for your wife I wish "Hyvää joulua ja onnellista Uutta Vuotta".

lara352

I agree with Redmarsy that if two nations were to go to war against each other that would obviously change things for potential travellers. I have been monitoring the website of our Dept of Foreign Affairs and while it hasn't been updated since midday yesterday it is only advising against non-essential travel to Mumbai but NOT advising against travel to India as a whole.

I can understand that people would have concerns that other major cities, tourist hubs could also be targeted and this was my initial concern as well to be honest. However, I think what is likely to happen when we get there is that any fear we are currently having will recede into the background once we are actually there. Instead, and especially for first timers like myself, we will find ourselves caught up in the excitement of this vast nation which will continue to function regardless, we will continue to look out for ourselves and use the information we have found on IM on how to make the most of our trip and keep safe in all of the everyday situations regardless of recent events in Mumbai.

I have been very inspired by this thread but also that the entire forum didn't focus exclusively on Mumbai, and that people have continued to ask for general advice and information as they obviously plan to proceed with their trip.

I wish everyone well with your travel plans.

vicki278

I agree - I am fully appreciative of the distance between Mumbai and, say, Delhi, the Rajasthan circuit, and our other destinations - and the distance isn't the most relevant factor in trying to assessing risk in other places in India that may be targetted by those responsible or linked with the current tragic events.

Pretty likely to be travelling anyway

Vicki

alouise

Like most on IM I won't be cancelling my trip in two weeks time, but I will be checking all Indian newspapers in English on www.samachar.com for daily coverage of peace and harmony across all Indian states where my journey takes me. Quite possibly things may flare up between Pakistan and India in Kashmir now with Mumbai attacked. Although having read the above website this past year, domestic terrorism appears the more widespread trend to warrant concern and caution.

The Wanderer

My flight is supposed to arrive in Mumbai on Jan 18th and I have no intention of changing it. I suspect that Mumbai will be one of the safest cities in the region for the next several months and can't imagine any reason to allow the terrorists to deter me so easily. Having said that, if there are more attacks targeting westerners on a similar scale I would certainly rethink my plans. I am keeping an eye on the situation and will make adjustments to my itinerary based on developments between now and then.

Roger Bushell

My wife and I will also NOT be cancelling. We admit we had discussions on Thursday with friends and family, but 4 x days later we are full into the planning stage to leave in 2 x weeks for a month tour. However, a question for all of you who particpate here. We are booked into Taj President on 27th December. Should we still go there ? Book another hotel in Mumbai ? Ot avoid Mumbai altogether ? Australian DFAT says to stay away from area - but that is today. 3 x more days in Rajastahn or Kerala would be OK too.

Mellie

As many of you know, I planned to stay at the Taj in Mumbai. Just like we suspected, the hotel is closed indefinitely for repairs. I re-booked for the ITC.

I am so psyched on India. The only way I'm cancelling is if my country prohibits me from going or there's a war.

BillyBuck

My friend and I are flying into Mumbai on Dec. 10 and then heading up to Rajasthan for two weeks. Absolutely no plans to cancel. Can't wait to get to India! Even more so now. It's great to read on this post that most people seem to have the same attitude. If these #$@$%!s were targeting Americans, Brits, and other Westerners like I've read, then every American, Brit, Westerner, and the rest of the world should bump India up on their list of places to visit, right?

India, here we come!!!!!

djkittycat

I agree with Mellie. I'm looking at the State Department and the company I'm using's websites daily to see updates. So far both have said essentially Mumbai is no go, but the rest of India is ok with just usual common sense caution.

My mom is really apprehensive though, and saying stuff like money can be replaced, but people can't. I think I might have to cancel the leg to the Taj Mahal that I was going to do on my own. Mostly, because it was getting too stressful to figure out every little bit of it (especially having all of my worldly possessions on my person while walking around Agra all day without a hotel), and I'd rather not spend the rest of my vacation worrying about it. I sent an email on the board of the adventure travel group to another person who was possibly interested in the side trip, and so we'll see. I have time to cancel it or not, as I depart the evening of 19th Dec. I wonder if I can even cancel it there, if need be.

But, yeah, if India and Pakistan start warring, I will be canceling without regret. That is no situation for a tourist.

Also, I suspect that the India-Pakistan border ceremony that was supposed to be a part of my trip could be out. Oh well . Maybe I can convince them to go to the rock garden instead, the one with the people made out of recycled construction materials.

The Wanderer

I agree 100%! Those of us who are of the nationalities targeted need to stand beside the people of India. It seems The best way we can fight against the perpetrators of these attacks is to continue to travel and contribute to the affected economies as best we can. In a sense, terrorists are the most easily defeated of combatants as all we need to do is refuse to be intimidated.

rebeccam

We'll be in India soon! Leave Dec 9 and arrive Dec 11th, BLR to Cochin.

Mumbai was not part of the itin, but even if it were, i wouldnt cancel.

The wonderful travel agent(recommended by IMers) who helped with our trip-planning, sent all her clients an inspiring and understandng letter about India, acknowledging the horror of these events, but reassuring that India is a wonderful, amazing place to visit.

My prayers to all affected, and admiration for the strong people of Mumbai. So many stories of bravery, courage, compassion.I am particulary touched by the story of the 2 yr old who was found next to his lifeless parents, and saved, from the Jewish Outreach Center Chabad House...and there are so many other stories we'll probably never know.

The day before the attacks started in Mumbai, I was at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. This was my 5th time there, the first time bringing my grandchildren. We must never forget!! How short are people's memories! Here in the USA, during the recent Presidential election, most of the voters put the economy as their #1 issue...above national security!!! Without the latter, nothing else much matters.

LilBoy BigTown

I think this incident is being taken very very seriously in India. The Home Minister has already been sacked.

Considering the spotlight on Mumbai right now, I would imagine it to be much safer today than it was few days ago. Taj group of hotels are some of the best in India and I don't expect that to change. If anything, they would step up the security.

But that's just my opinion. At the end of the day, you should do what you are most comfortable with.