TORONTO — The Travel Corporation has announced a new COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all adult guests, across all its guided tour brands, effective Sept. 1, 2021.
The policy, which applies to Trafalgar, Contiki, Insight Vacations, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations and Luxury Gold, requires guests to show documented proof of having received two doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines from either Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca, or one dose from Johnson & Johnson. The final dose of the vaccine must be administered a minimum of 15 days prior to departure.
The new policy will remain in effect until at least Dec. 31, 2021.
“The well-being of our guests is a 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 any of TTC’s brands will need to provide proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination to their Wellbeing Director, Travel Director, Trip Manager of 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.
On Aug. 11, the federal government announced that it will be moving ahead with plans for a country-wide proof of vaccination system. This was followed by another announcement on Aug. 13 about a new vaccination mandate for all air travellers and rail and cruise passengers, effective by end of October.
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 rollout 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.”
TTC guided tours will operate with enhanced hygiene, physical distancing and on-road protocols, plus a dedicated Well-being Director will accompany Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold trip with 21 or more guests (excluding Austria and New Zealand). TTC has collaborated with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTC) to align and create global protocols. All of its brands have since been awarded the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp.
