Both Topdeck Travel and Back-Roads Touring will be introducing their COVID-19 Assurance Policy offering a full refund or travel credit to customers that are unable to travel due to contracting coronavirus or government enforced travel restrictions being put in place.
Global Touring, the umbrella group of travel brands that includes Topdeck Travel and Back-Roads Touring, has announced new flexible booking and assurance policies for travellers booking upcoming holidays. The new policies have been developed following recent customer research highlighting a strong desire to travel, yet a lack in customer confidence when it comes to booking.
As providers of group tours, both Topdeck Travel and Back-Roads Touring will be introducing their COVID-19 Assurance Policy offering a full refund or travel credit to customers that are unable to travel due to contracting coronavirus or government enforced travel restrictions being put in place.
With foreseeable travel in 2020 still in limbo, a study from Topdeck, the provider of group travel for 18-30 somethings, and Back-Roads Touring, the provider of small group tours along the world less travelled, reveals that the desire to travel and explore the world is still alive. However, nearly 42% of Gen Z reported that they were worried about the ever-changing restrictions stopping them from being able to travel and explore the world.
Further insights showed that many are still hesitant to book travel plans. The research revealed that one third of customers are waiting until the government indicates a date when it will be safe to travel internationally before booking. To help reassure customers and enable them to plan and book their much-needed travel adventure in 2021, Topdeck and Back-Roads Touring have introduced two new policies.
The new COVID-19 Assurance Policy and in addition the Extended Flexibility Policy aims to give customers the assurance they need to book with confidence, knowing they are protected against the unexpected and enabling them to explore the world again soon:
COVID-19 Assurance Policy
The new COVID-19 Assurance Policy aims to assure customers they can confidently book a future trip with Topdeck or Back-Roads Touring. The policy is out now, and until the 28 February 2021, all new bookings across the 2021-22 season will be covered.
At no additional cost, customers will receive a full refund or travel credit if diagnosed with COVID-19, upon delivery of a positive COVID-19 PCR test certificate.
Customers who are prevented from travelling due to a sudden government-enforced lockdown will also be covered by the COVID-19 Assurance Policy and will be eligible for a full refund or travel credit. Travel companions registered under the same booking reference number will similarly receive a full refund or travel credit if they choose not to continue with their tour.
Extended Flexibility Policy
In addition to the COVID-19 Assurance policy, the new Extended Flexibility Policy covers customers for those last-minute setbacks and allows them to make a change to their departure date or choice of tour up to 30 days before travel.
The new policies adopted by Topdeck and Back-Roads Touring have been developed in response to results revealed from its customer sentiment survey conducted over the summer, whereby customers ranked COVID-19 diagnosis cover and flexible booking policies, as the most important factors when booking their next group touring trip.
George Shuttlewood, Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer at Global Touring commented on the new policies being introduced: “In these challenging times, we want to do everything we can to make sure our Topdeck and Back-Roads’ customers are able to book travel with confidence for next year. We’ve been regularly asking our customers for their thoughts and opinions on travel over the last 8 months to see how they’ve changed and what they’re looking for when they are able to travel safely again. Using these insights, we developed up our COVID-19 Assurance and Extra Flexibility policies.”
“We know our customers are as eager as we are to get back on the road, to explore the world and to create the once in a lifetime memories that travel is all about. The policies we’ve introduced will ensure our customers can book their next adventures, and start looking forward to it – knowing they’ll have additional flexibility on their booked trip if their situation changes in the future.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
