Tauck Tours COVID-19 – Peace of Mind Travel

Tauck tours is one of the oldest and most reputable travel companies in the U.S. They were founded over 95 years ago as a family owned & led company.

Statement from Tauck Tours: “Our commitment never wavers – to earn your trust by always doing the right thing. As we explore the world together again, this will be more important than ever as we adapt to living and traveling in the presence of COVID-19.”

Building upon the foundation of their award-winning guest care, Tauck has worked tirelessly to prepare for guests’ to return following the COVID-19 hiatus in travel. With guidance from leading experts, including the CDC and WHO, together with an internal Global Response Team and, most importantly, with feedback from thousands of guests, Tauck has redefined how they will deliver their experiences when travel resumes.

Tauck Global Response Team

Tauck has operated trips in over 70 countries on all 7 continents. They have a global team that can respond quickly and effectively. This global team is made up of over 50 employees across all department who stand ready to spring into action if and when needed. From weather events and strikes to past virus outbreaks including SARS and Zika.

Tauck New Health & Safety Protocols

Consistent with Tauck’s commitment to the well-being of guests & staff, Tauck is implementing enhanced health and safety protocols. These protocols may vary by geographic regions and will certainly evolve over time, as science and society respond to new realities:

• Tauck Staff
  All staff is trained in enhanced protocols & participates in personal health screening
  Once on tour, Tauck Directors and supporting staff are responsible for maintaining these protocols with a special focus on cleanliness and physical distancing. They will relay critical information regarding requirements, advise when protocols are mandatory – such as wearing a face-covering in group settings – and help facilitate guest care through communication with appropriate parties should a guest become ill on tour. All Tauck staff will adhere to the same requirements.
• Guest Responsibility
  Guests are expected to wear face coverings in all group settings, to wash their hands frequently and to adhere to supplier and government regulations. While supplies of face coverings, gloves, and hand sanitizer will be available, guests are asked to bring such personal items for their own comfort. Guests will pledge to follow the direction of the Tauck staff and adhere to health and safety protocols.
• Smaller Group Size
  Tauck was one of the first to offer small group tours. This is consistent with their mantra that “Small is Big” –  small groups and smaller ships with fewer guests. They will be offering even more small group experiences & limiting numbers across all journeys for guests comfort and peach of mind.

Working Closely With Key Partners

Tauck has worked meticulously with our global supplier partners to plan for every itinerary following the hiatus in travel.  All partners, whether they be a hotel, museum, small ship/riverboat, restaurant, or another partner, have been thoughtful about how to provide a Tauck experience in this environment.

Hotels

Tauck hotel partners all have world-class health and safety protocols.  However, these guidelines may vary depending on local situations and regulations.  Here are some typical examples:

• Upon-arrival, health questionnaires and temperature checks may be required. Some hotels may even require daily temperature scans.
• Social distancing may be required in public areas, bars and restaurants.
• High-touch areas such as railings, door handles and elevators will undergo enhanced cleaning.
• In-room measures may include removal of tent cards and magazines. Common use items, such as coffee makers and minibar amenities may be on demand.
• High-touch areas, such as light switches, thermostats, remote controls and door handles will be subject to enhanced and frequent cleaning.
• Guests will have the option to determine housekeeping frequency.
• All hotel staff will undergo daily health screenings.

Ships and Riverboats

Tauck has worked closely with our cruise partners to ensure the best possible health and safety protocols and to ensure the care and service you expect from Tauck:

• Guests on cruises and river journeys will be required to complete a health questionnaire and will undergo a temperature check prior to boarding. In some instances, our ship partners will conduct daily temperature checks.
• Face coverings and physical distancing will be required in most public spaces for guests and crew alike.
• Meals may be offered at staggered times and self-serve buffets will be eliminated.
• In-cabin measures include removing common use items. Coffee makers, minibar amenities and housekeeping will be on demand at guest discretion.
• Ship staff will undergo daily health screenings.
• All vessels will have medical staff onboard.

Sightseeing and Local Activities

Many of Tauck experiences are exclusive and/or private and that’s important in taking care of you.  Whether it be a guided tour, a visit to an iconic museum or private home, a musical performance, or any other special Tauck activities, we are applying the same rigor to health and safety protocols:

• Tauck listening devices will be sanitized thoroughly and frequently.
• Sightseeing is being adjusted to ensure proper physical distancing.
• Admission times at venues may be altered to ensure no crowding.
• Paper tickets, handouts and the like may be eliminated.

Dining

Tauck has always been known for a la carte dining; having more freedom to decide when and with whom to dine now has more value than ever. Additionally, our partners whether they be hotels, ships, special venues or restaurants, are raising their already rigorous hygienic standards. Here are some examples:

• Waitstaff will likely be wearing face coverings and gloves.
• Seating will be adjusted to accommodate physical distancing.
• Self-serve buffets will be eliminated. Common use menus will no longer be used unless sanitized. 

On-Tour Transportation

Keeping on-tour transportation safe is a major focus of our team who has worked with hundreds of partners to ensure continuity in health and safety protocols:

• On motorcoaches and other on-tour ground transportation, such as airport transfers, guests should expect physical distancing and will be required to wear face coverings
• Prior to each trip, our motorcoaches, vans, airport transfer vehicles, and on-tour aircraft will undergo a deep sanitizing process.  
• Luggage may also be sanitized at each movement. 
• Drivers will wear gloves and face coverings during all guest-facing interactions. 
• Drivers will frequently clean handrails, door handles, armrests, tables, seats, air conditioning/HVAC units, restrooms, and overhead storage areas. 

As we get back to traveling when things are safe, you couldn’t make a better choice than to travel with Tauck Tours.

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