Strict new travel protocols

Ben Hocking

4 years ago

The Travel Corporation (TTC), which oversees popular guided holiday brands Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Contiki and Costaver among others, has announced its enhanced COVID-19 related protocols and hygiene standards for all its guided holidays once domestic and international travel resumes.

TTC chief executive Brett Tollman said the company had thoroughly reviewed sanitation and hygiene measures around guests’ experiences and interactions for guided holidays, from the moment they meet their travel directors and trip managers to travelling on coaches, the hotels they will stay in and the immersive excursions they will experience on each trip.

“We have always taken the wellbeing and peace of mind of our guests and every team member as our top priority,” Mr Tollman said.

“As we adapt to this new world, our dedicated, diligent TTC team members across the globe are preparing and will be implementing enhanced training, procedures and numerous new measures throughout our various guest experiences offered, with the very best possible care and service.

“These new protocols will be adapted and adjusted as needed, in a timely manner, as governments define and implement what will be required in each country,” he said.

Travel director training
Travel directors and trip managers will be trained in these new and enhanced hygiene and physical distancing procedures.

They will monitor the hygiene etiquette of guests during their trips, reacting and advising as needed to ensure high standards are maintained.

Also, they will have new preventative measures in place in an effort to ensure guests’ wellbeing and, in the event that any unexpected issues arise on trip, they will activate additional protocols.

On-the-road protocols
TTC’s coaches are sanitised before the start of each trip and have always been kept to very high standards.

Drivers will now be trained in the latest hygiene protocols and will clean and disinfect all surfaces including handrails, door handles, tables, seats, air-conditioning filters and overhead lockers daily.

All TTC’s guests will be asked to follow hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organization including the thorough and regular washing of hands and sanitising when required.

Hand sanitiser will be freely available on board for the guests to use throughout the day.

Guests will be encouraged to bring their own washable face mask and gloves (as these are required to be worn in public in some countries, and on many airlines now), and to bring additional hand sanitiser with them.

In addition, should an unexpected situation arise, additional face masks, rubber gloves, antiviral sprays and wipes will be readily available for guests on all trips.

Physical distancing
TTC will be adapting group sizes, based on government distancing requirements.

The company says travellers can be rest assured that they will travel in the comfort of their own personal space and can have peace of mind that all of the experiences, hotels and restaurants they enjoy on their trip will have been vetted to ensure they adhere to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines required in each jurisdiction.

Would you be comfortable going on a guided tour in the time of COVID-19 or would you be more likely to travel on your own journey when abroad?

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