A WEST Kilbride travel agent has told how she fears for the future of her business after posting a tearful message to her customers.

Linda Hill, owner of LAH Travel, says she has experienced 'the craziest time in her 33 years within the travel industry' as coronavirus panic threatens to cripple the tourism industry.

Linda post a tearful message online to try and reassure customers but admitted the future is uncertain, adding that the firm had 'haemorrhaged money' in recent weeks.

She said: "This is uncharted territory for us. "We have seen wars, earthquakes, bushfires and terrorist attacks but this had hit perhaps hardest.

"As I said to a travel conference recently, our industry is very resilient but very fragile. There is no sugar-coating it."

The travel agent said she had been 'bombarded' with queries regarding the ongoing situation from the public in general but said that her clients were her main priority.

Linda added: "Yes, of course I am worried about my business but my primary concern is the safety and well being of my clients.

"This situation will not last forever. This is not all about money but we have haemorrhaged money."

Linda says there is hope for the future with customers getting cheaper prices to book for holidays at the end to the year and in 2021.

She said: "There are better deals available now because of the uncertainty.

"I was getting quite emotional but I noticed I have a bank note with Winston Churchill on it and I thought this is nothing compared to what he went through.

"All I would ask is that people be nice to the staff as the girls are under pressure. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

"There is a lot of fake news about - and I would urge consumers to be very wary and only take their information from trusted sources.

"I would like to thank you all for all their support. We are doing the best we can in very trying circumstances. We have to keep our head down and weather the storm - we have suffered so much loss in the industry.

"I felt it was easier to make a video and let my customers know the situation.

"I am working round the clock to try and help my clients. Some of my customers are wanting to come back early from holidays and we are doing our best to make that happen.

"The problem is that there is no appetite for anyone to go on summer holidays and now this travel ban. We have to hope that the situation will be sorted by October week."