Search Travel Market Report

riviera
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
globus

With Thorough COVID-19 Protocols, Tauck Resumes Tours to Positive Feedback

by Jessica Montevago / February 04, 2021
With Thorough COVID-19 Protocols, Tauck Resumes Tours to Positive Feedback

Guests posing in front of one of Yellowstone’s geyser basins. Photo: Tauck. 


In a welcome sign travel is slowly returning to normalcy, Tauck has operated its first tour departures since the outbreak of COVID-19 last March.

The Connecticut-based tour operator recently completed its initial “Wonderland: Yellowstone in Winter” itineraries of the New Year, with additional departures of the eight-day Montana and Wyoming national parks tour scheduled for February.

In order to do so, Tauck implemented safety and health protocols across all its 2021 tours and cruises, including the mandatory use of masks, social distancing when possible, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures developed in close cooperation with its hoteliers, restaurateurs, and other partners.

Each guest is also required to complete and sign a Travel Well Pledge. This health screening form confirms that guests have tested negative for Covid-19 within five days of departure, are free of virus-related symptoms, and have not been in close contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19.

Joanne Gardner, vice president of worldwide operations, said Tauck took a very thorough approach to its restart efforts.

“Prior to our first trips, we ran a complete training tour with myself and Tauck directors,” Gardner told Travel Market Report. “This was an invaluable to operating and we’re going to continue to invest in these efforts. Whether it’s a complete run-through or working alongside our partners on the ground to make sure it’s safe and our partners are compliant.”

The departure of “Yellowstone in Winter” took guests inside Yellowstone National Park four days, as well as Grand Teton National Park and an overnight at the Chico Hot Springs Resort plus two nights at The Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming.

Gardner said that guests on the trip came prepared for COVID-19 related-protocols, thanks to multiple touch points Tauck sent so they had a good understanding of what to expect.             

Per feedback by the Tauck Director guides who accompanied the first departures, the guests embraced the assurance and confidence the safety measures fostered.

“Feedback has been excellent,” Gardner said. “The comment cards had usual kudos about the experience – we feel if these first trips are any indication, we’re in a good position to achieve the ability to deliver a safe experience but also something that is in line with the brand and what our guests have come to expect from Tauck.”

Looking ahead, Gardner said Tauck is “reassessing our launch for the coming months” as it gauges the “viability of our remaining tours, where can we go, where is it safe, and where can we deliver that quality experience.”

Of course, the ever-changing climate presents its challenges.

“Staying on top of all that globally requires a tremendous amount of flexibility with our partners, our guests, and our staff. “We put in place a process early on, and the fundamentals of the process, the criteria for when it’s safe to operate, all of that still applies today. It is quite remarkable that the way we started operating is still the way were operating today.”

“Guests are eager to return to travel,” Gardner said. In fact, according to Tauck, over 60% of its 2021 capacity is already reserved and they’re optimistic as reservations are coming in for 2022 and even 2023. While domestic tours will likely be back first, Private Departures are available on more than 70 land journeys spanning Exotic destinations, Europe, North America, will be particularly appealing in the post-COVID-19 era of travel.

“One saying we use a lot is ‘It’s not a question of if, but a question of when.’ We are very confident we will come back and we will come back strong. Some factors are out of our control, but what is within our control is going to provide us with a strong base for rebound.”

  72
  0
globus

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. CDC: Fully Vaccinated People Can Skip Mandatory Quarantines After Being Exposed
  2. Transport Canada Extends Cruise Ship Ban to February 2022
  3. Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Passport in 2021
  4. France Closes St. Barts, French Polynesia to Tourism
  5. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson Passes Away
  6. Five Things Advisors Can Do Now to Prepare for the Travel Rebound

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Transport Canada Extends Cruise Ship Ban to February 2022
  2. Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Passport in 2021
  3. Hawaii Partners With Clear to Allow Travelers with Negative COVID-19 Tests to Skip Quarantine
  4. Globus to Require COVID-19 Vaccine, Negative Test Result or Virus Immunity for All Tours
  5. CLIA Says It Is ‘Surprised’ by Canada Cruise Ship Ban Extension
  6. Cruise Lines Hope to Hold on to Alaska Season After Canada’s Ban
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
globus
Top Stories
Apple Leisure Group Vacations Execs on Leisure Recovery, Testing Impact, & More
Apple Leisure Group Vacations Execs on Leisure Recovery, Testing Impact, & More

'We are seeing from our research and data that more consumers are wanting to use a travel advisor to book their vacation.'

Read...
Avanti Introduces Custom FIT and Group Travel to Egypt
Avanti Introduces Custom FIT and Group Travel to Egypt

The country is currently open to American tourists.

Read...
Travel World VR Hopes to Engage with Advisors as Travel Begins to Rebound
Travel World VR Hopes to Engage with Advisors as Travel Begins to Rebound

'Those that embrace this new type of technology are going to be at the forefront of the travel rebound.' 

Read...
G Adventures Gets Backing from AmaWaterways and Internova Investor Certares
G Adventures Gets Backing from AmaWaterways and Internova Investor Certares

Certares already backs companies such as AmaWaterways, American Express Global Business Travel, LATAM Airlines, Internova Travel Group, and Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, among others.

Read...
Globus to Require COVID-19 Vaccine, Negative Test Result or Virus Immunity for All Tours
Globus to Require COVID-19 Vaccine, Negative Test Result or Virus Immunity for All Tours

Without one of these verifications, travelers will not be able to join their planned vacation as scheduled.

Read...
Rail Europe Suspends Selling Tour Packages, Resigns from USTOA
Rail Europe Suspends Selling Tour Packages, Resigns from USTOA

The company began in 1932 as a North American distributor of European rail products, providing point-to-point tickets and rail passes for European rail travel.

Read...
News Briefs
  • Contiki Launches New U.S. National Park Trips
  • Join Avanti's Travel Advisor Webinar
  • Insight Vacations to Debut Journeys to Latin America For the First Time
  • ALG Vacations Launches Digital Publication for Travel Advisors
  • TTC Brands Now Include Specially Trained Well-Being Director
  • The Travel Corporation Introduces ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Option
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/fA8gPbhNMKQ/0.jpg
TMR TV: Apple Leisure Group Vacations Executive Roundtable Discussion from Cancun
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy