by Jim Byers
Last updated: 12:40 AM ET, Mon August 16, 2021
The Travel Corporations' (TTC) guided tour brands have announced a Covid-19 vaccination requirement for all adult guests, effective as of September 1, 2021. Trafalgar, Contiki, Insight Vacations, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations and Luxury Gold's new policy requires clients to show documented proof of having received two doses of approved Covid-19 vaccines from either Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca or one dose from Johnson & Johnson. The final dose of the vaccine must have been administered a minimum of 15 days prior to their departure and the policy will remain in effect until at least December 31, 2021.
"The wellbeing of our guests is our top priority and many of the countries we travel to now require proof of vaccination or near-daily negative PCR testing results for non-vaccinated visitors to enter museums, restaurants and historical sites," says Jeff Element, President of The Travel Corporation Canada. "Our new requirement will ensure guests greater peace of mind so they're able to enjoy a seamless and wonderful travel experience."
Clients booked with the brands will need to provide proof of an approved Covid-19 vaccination to their Wellbeing Director, Travel Director, Trip Manager or Traveling Concierge before joining the tour and also upon arrival to their destination. They will additionally need to comply with specific PCR testing requirements imposed by airlines and/or the destinations, which may differ from country to country.
A TTC spokeswoman said people with mixed vaccines, such as AstraZeneca and either Pfizer or Moderna, will be counted as fully vaccinated for tours, but that individual countries travellers visit might have different rules.
To give guests peace of mind to enjoy their travels, TTC guided tours will be operated in accordance with a rigorous set of enhanced hygiene, physical distancing and robust on-road protocols, adapting to and complying with all requirements by relevant government authorities. TTC's brands have also collaborated with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to align and create global protocols and procedures and all of the brands have been awarded the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp.
"With the international travel requirements constantly being updated, we are continuously monitoring evolving vaccination mandates across destinations," adds Element. "Canada's recent announcement of the roll-out of a vaccine passport for international travel is also a positive step forward for our industry and will enable guests to easily provide the necessary documentation."
For more information, please visit brands' respective websites: www.trafalgar.com/frequently-asked-questions#/covid-travel-questions; www.contiki.com/resources/travel-questions-answered; www.insightvacations.com/the-insight-difference/we-are-committed-to-your-well-being; www.costsavertour.com/about-us/worry-free-travel/your-wellbeing-is-our-priority; www.brendanvacations.com/your-wellbeing/; www.luxurygold.com/why-luxury-gold/well-being.
Topics From This Article to Explore
