Butterfield & Robinson Suspends European Group Tours Through End of May
by Lynn Elmhirst /The active, luxury tour operator announced Thursday it’s suspending all departures scheduled in Europe through May 30th.
The announcement follows U.S. government restrictions on inbound travel from Europe as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a company, we believe that travel should enrich the soul not foster anxiety. Suspending these trips ensures this ideal continues for all of our travelers,” stated the company’s president and CEO Luc Robinson.
In addition to small groups, the Toronto-based company also offers private tour options. B&R says clients who are booked to travel in its private tour program before May 30th can choose if they want to proceed, as long as local teams and conditions permit.
For clients on scheduled tours, B&R is reaching out to review options. B&R is offering affected clients the ability to transfer their bookings to a scheduled small-group departure later this year or next year. Clients who choose to cancel will be provided a 100% refund.
In addition, the company recognizes that some clients affected by the cancellation of their scheduled small group tour before the end of May could still wish to travel. It is prepared to discuss options for those clients to travel in B&R’s private tour program.
Butterfield & Robinson says, as of today, it is planning to operate its scheduled, small-group tours after May 30th as scheduled, pending changes in WHO and CDC advisories as well as the abilities of its local teams on the ground in Europe to operate.
The company thanked advisors and its travel partners for “rallying together in these tough times.”
It added, “Through decades of experience, we’ve grown to understand that these global events are unavoidable. We are financially prepared, and we will get through this.”
