As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the travel industry, The Travel Corporation (TTC) has decided to temporarily pause Australian group touring departures until 1 December 2021 – and to require travellers to have been vaccinated against Covid, a wise precaution that is gaining support industry-wide.
TTC said yesterday that “in response to the continued uncertainty around internal borders and travel due to Covid-19”, it had decided “alongside its Australian and New Zealand brands, to temporarily pause Australian group touring departures until 1 December 2021”.
The TTC decision will affect AAT Kings Guided Holidays (First Choice and Best Buys), Contiki, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Inspiring Journeys. AAT Kings Day Tours and Short Breaks programs in the NT will continue to operate in the meantime.
The Travel Corporation made clear yesterday that its Reservations, Sales and Groups & Charters teams “remain committed to working closely with travel agency partners and guests to realise their travel plans beyond 1 December 2021. The group continues to see strong bookings for 2022 and beyond.
“The health and safety of our staff, clients and suppliers is our priority,” said David Hosking, chief executive of The Travel Corporation.
“Therefore, from December 1, The Travel Corporation in Australia and New Zealand will require all eligible travellers and customer facing team members, be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 for Contiki, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Inspiring Journeys and AAT Kings Guided Holidays (First Choice and Best Buys). We have sought and will continue to take advice, however put simply, it is the right thing to do.”
The TTC statement continued:
Following what TTC has already implemented in the US and Europe, we are proud to be taking a positive stance on vaccination requirements for our guests and customer facing team members in Australia and New Zealand. Our aim is to help our guests, agency partners and team transition to what is inevitably going to be the “new normal” in safe travel and help the industry rebound in a sustained way.
David Hosking, chief executive of The Travel Corporation Australia
We have based the date of 1 December 2021 on the 4-stage plan outlined by the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government COVID-19 vaccine plan and the current projected vaccine rollout across Australia and New Zealand reaching a point that creates freedom of movement, while also giving guests and employees a clear path forward. The group also hopes state governments have agreed to a collective approach to managing lockdowns and movement across borders by this time.
The current operating environment has meant that most of our tours have been impacted by cancellations due to lockdowns and restrictions and we cannot deliver our usual high standard of guest experience.
The Travel Corporation Reservations and Sales teams will be in direct communication with affected guests and agency partners regarding the changes. For those that cannot commit to being fully vaccinated prior to travel, a refund will be issued.
Without a doubt, Australia and New Zealand have two of the best travel and tourism industries in the world and we sincerely hope that by 1 December 2021 when vaccination rates have reached70-80%, we can recommence our Australian group touring operations and support our industry through recovery.
Edited by Peter Needham
