Prof. Marion Joppe, School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, spoke to The Globe and Mail for an article about whether it’s safe to travel overseas during the current outbreak of a new coronavirus.

Joppe said fears about the virus have brought “the lucrative Chinese tourism industry to a standstill,” adding that not only are tours into China being cancelled, but Chinese tourists are choosing to stay home as well.

Joppe recently wrote a commentary for Conversation Canada that noted that China is a key source of tourism to Canada, accounting for close to 800,000 arrivals, with travellers spending close to $3,000 per trip.

Joppe researches the economic, social and environmental impacts of the tourism industry. She has examined the policy, planning and marketing of destinations as well as questions surrounding various motivations for travel.