Topdeck Travel and Back-Roads Touring have announced new hygiene measures and staff training for when international and domestic travel resume post-Covid 19.
Parent company Global Touring has also increased booking flexibility on both brands to allow holidaymakers to change their departure date or trip up to 40 days before travel with no fees or penalty.
The new health and safety measures for travel follow a review of its operations as a result of the pandemic.
Both Topdeck, which provides group travel for 18-30 year olds, and Back-Roads, which offers small group tours off the beaten track, will ensure all coaches are thoroughly cleaned before each trip and regularly during trips.
Crew will pay extra attention to cleanliness and ensure all surfaces are sanitised while hand sanitiser will also be available. Trips will start with a briefing, which will include how customers can keep themselves safe and healthy.
Staff will receive further training in response to coronavirus risks to help keep customers as safe as possible.
The company is also working more closely with its partners, such as accommodation providers, in destination to ensure their cleaning protocols, hygiene records, risk assessments and customer ratings are centred around customer safety and wellbeing.
David Gendle, general manager of sales at Global Touring, said: “We know that travel, and group travel, will need to change for now.
“Global Touring wants to do everything it can to make sure Topdeck and Back-Roads customers are kept as safe as possible as the world re-opens for travel.
“Customer wellbeing has always been our priority and in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic we have been researching and reviewing our operations to ensure we can adapt and operate our trips safely.
“We know that these are uncertain times and that plans can change so we’re also providing increased flexibility for all new bookings made.”
He added: “These have been difficult times for everyone and as a company we have a duty of care to our customers. We want to reassure them that with these extra measures we’ll be ready to help them get back out there and see the world, whilst helping to keep them safe.”
The company said it will continue to review the measures and protocols to ensure operations are in line with government and World Health Organisation guidelines.