Over a third of Bahrainis have changed their travel arrangements out of fear of catching swine flu, while a quarter of them scrapped their travel plans, according to the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research.

Of all those surveyed, a quarter said they were 'not at all' feeling safe about arrangements being made by the authorities concerned to prevent the disease from spreading in Bahrain.

The survey found that 62 per cent have not changed their plans to travel to countries that reported swine flu cases such the US, the UK, Egypt and Jordan.

Of those who changed their plans, 44 per cent delayed the travel dates, 29 per cent changed destinations and 27 per cent cancelled trips.

The centre recommended that the authorities step up campaigns and inform citizens of the precautionary procedures taken to stop the flu from spreading.

The survey targeted Bahraini individuals who were planning to travel abroad during the summer holidays.

Of the 400 individuals, 59 per cent were men and 41 per cent women aged 19 to 70, with the highest 87 per cent in the 20 to 49 age group.

Most of the participants are married (74 per cent) and high school graduates or hold bachelor's degrees.

According to the survey, 13.5 per cent favoured travelling to GCC countries, while 18.2 per cent favoured Lebanon.

Asked how they felt about the country's preparations to control the spread of the disease, 56 per cent said they were relieved.

However, 25 per cent said they were 'not at all' feeling safe and 19 per cent said they were not aware of the procedures taken.

Our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News reported last month that the flu and the financial crisis have been blamed for a massive drop in the number of people flying out of Bahrain this summer.

The number of passengers departing Bahrain International Airport is 20 to 25 per cent down from last year, according to airport officials.

They revealed there had been a slump by 50 per cent in the number of people flying to the US, Canada and Europe.

The epidemic was thought to be the main cause of the fall in numbers, but officials suggested money worries could also be responsible. – TradeArabia News Service