Dnata Travel Group has expanded its offer of discounted Covid-19 tests to include testing bundles for customers travelling to green and amber list destinations.
The move comes as the group is increasing the range of products and services it offers across all its brands – Gold Medal, Travel Republic, Travelbag, Netflights and Sunmaster – to reassure agents and customers
It introduced tests in early April with a discount of up to 50%, thanks to a partnership with provider Randox, which guarantees testing lab space, return result time and no delay.
A new Green Travel Pack of two PCR tests is £120 – half the recommended price of £240 – while a new Amber Travel Pack of three tests is £180, compared to the full price of £295.
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Gold Medal tool helps agents search for Covid travel rules
In the coming weeks there will be more than 100 new drop boxes in the UK in the coming weeks to make it easier for people to return tests.
Almost 800 bookings have requested the testing services offered through dnata’s brands.
Furthermore, customers of any dnata brand, whether travel agent or consumer, can now also utilise an online tool which gives them information on the entry requirements and travel rules of their chosen destination thanks to a partnership with sherpa.
Max Tremaine, chief executive of sherpa, said: “More than ever, travellers want clear, concise and current information on which to base their booking decisions. We’re delighted to be able to make our market-leading tool available to the thousands of customers who want to book with dnata Travel Group’s brands and to be working with them to restore trust in travel.”
Further reassurance is offered by commitments to amend or refund bookings affected by Covid-related changes for many months.
These include 14-day refund guarantees on package bookings, free amendments up to seven days before departure and Covid insurance backed by Tigon Insurance.
More: Gold Medal tool helps agents search for Covid travel rules
Dnata Travel Group promotes John Bevan to global role
John Bevan, dnata Travel Group chief executive, said: “Customers are telling us they’re ready to book, but are assailed by confusion, and anxious about making a commitment.
“Recent research from Travel Republic told us that 95% of respondents intend to take an overseas holiday in the next 12 months, but of those, eight out of 10 listed ‘providing a refund guarantee’ as among their primary concerns, with confusion about what is required to be able to travel not far behind.
“Trust, authority, utility – these are all the most important currencies in travel right now so we’re delighted, with our partners at sherpa, Randox and Tigon Insurance, to be able to offer a range of products and services to give our customers clear and correct information, purchase reassurance, and the confidence we will have their back if circumstances change.
“We’re constantly working on new projects to expand these services even more, and where we can, bring down costs and add further value for our customers and agent partners.
“While going holiday is going to be more challenging for the foreseeable future, customers and agents interacting with our brands will see we’re doing everything we can to take the pain away.”