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As an Australian company with the most experience, most awards for excellence, and most comprehensive domestic travel options, the APT Travel Group (ATG) always has the safety and wellbeing of guests’ front of mind, and now even more so with the approaching return to travel.

The company has responded to the ever-changing Covid-19 situation by implementing a number of new measures to elevate its health and hygiene protocols giving travel agents assurance that they can recommend ATG products with confidence.

ATG’s Safe Travel Protocols include increased measures across all products, with a specific focus on Australian touring. Some key areas of attention for their extensive Australian programmes include:

  • All classic coach touring will adhere to social distancing requirements where applicable and have a maximum of 24 guests* on their large capacity coaches (48 guests).
  • Pre-travel health screenings with specific COVID-19 health assessment forms and reporting for all guests and crew. Any guest who doesn’t meet the criteria will not be allowed to begin the tour or cruise.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available on all our tours and cruises at all times.
  • No self-serve buffets will be offered on any tours and cruises.
  • Face masks will be available for all guests on request.
  • All staff and crew will undertake industry recognised Covid-19 training in areas of health and hygiene, and an in-house training program is under development for ATG’s international crew members, drawing on best practice initiatives from around the world.
  • Small ship cruising limited to 114 guests with specific enhanced health and hygiene protocols.
  • Increased cleaning of frequently touched surfaces with hospital grade cleaning products used.
  • Small group offerings align themselves with social distancing with fewer guests in communal areas at one time, such as small groups in the exclusive ATG owned Kimberley Lodges.
  • Working with supplier partners to ensure all health and safety protocols are of the highest standard and suppliers used across all products will meet COVID regulations.

These measures will be implemented across ATG’s well established brands; APT, Travelmarvel, TravelGlo and Botanica World Discoveries for all upcoming programmes and trip styles.

Commenting on the situation, ATG Managing Director, Chris Hall said “We are a bit different to most other operators who have just one style of travel, we have a wide range of products and trip styles with numerous options in the domestic market for travellers to see Australia. With our many decades of operating domestically, our teams are already the best in the business and we are confident that our enhanced health and hygiene protocols will be seamlessly implemented to ensure everyone travels well.”

“In forming our protocols both for Australia and our wider global programmes, we have worked in conjunction with our river cruise, small ship cruise, rail and touring partners. This has seen a dedicated Covid-19 Health and Safety team coming together to create our comprehensive health and safely protocols.  Along with our partners, our affiliation with CLIA, CATO, ATEC, TTF and AFTA has also helped shape our guidelines. As well as, of course taking the advice and following regulations from all Federal, State and Territory governments and the World Health Organisation. It’s all about allowing our guests to travel well and with confidence.”

Referring to the changing environment in regards to COVID-19 rules and regulations, Hall added “These measures will remain in effect as long as needed, and we will continue to be agile to adapt as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with governing bodies and the relevant local authorities in all of the areas we operate around the world. We know that travellers will only venture out into the world again when they feel it is safe to do so, we want to give them the peace of mind that we are providing the best Safe Travel Protocols across all our products so they can travel well.”

Find more information regarding all the APT Travel Group Health & Safety protocols visit:  https://www.aptouring.com.au/tour-protocols

*Social distancing requirements will be adhered to as necessary. We are continuing to monitor all directives in the regions we operate and will comply with the Government regulations applicable. We may make changes to this protocol as required and increase guest numbers when we are able to resume our usual touring procedures.