Tour operators are part of an industrywide shift toward vaccination-only travel, with many rolling out strict Covid vaccination requirements. Below is a running list of tour operators mandating that guests be fully vaccinated for some or all itineraries. Updated Aug. 31.
Collette
Collette is requiring that travelers be fully vaccinated on all international tours starting on Sept. 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022. Full vaccination against Covid will also be required to travel on all domestic tours starting on Nov. 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022.
G Adventures
G Adventures has introduced a range of Vaccinated Tours. All travelers and tour guides on a G Adventures Vaccinated Tour must be fully vaccinated against Covid, with the final dose given at least 14 days prior to the first day of the tour. The company is also offering Travel-Ready Tours, which don’t require full vaccination. Travelers and tour guides on a Travel-Ready itinerary can either have received a full Covid vaccination with the final dose given at least 14 days prior to the start of the tour, or a negative PCR test within 96 hours prior to the welcome meeting on the first day of the tour. The Vaccinated Tours and Travel-Ready Tours policies are in effect starting August 2021 for all travelers departing on or after Oct. 1, 2021.
Globus
The Globus family of brands, consisting of Globus, Cosmos, Avalon Waterways and Monograms, announced in June that all guests on its international tours, river cruises and independent vacation packages must be fully vaccinated. The company recently extended this mandate for all travel through March 2022. Travelers across all Globus brands will need to provide proof of Covid vaccination, completed at least 14 days prior to embarkation.
Intrepid Travel
Starting Sept. 1, travelers will be required to produce proof of a Covid vaccine for all trips, excluding those in Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. If a traveler is unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, he or she may apply for an exemption, with exemptions assessed on a case-by-case basis. Children under 18 are exempt from the requirement, though children ages 6 through must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative Covid test.
The Travel Corporation
The Travel Corporation’s Trafalgar, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, Contiki, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold tour companies have instituted a Covid vaccination requirement for all adult guests, effective Sept. 1. The protocol is in effect until the end of 2022 for Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki.
Under the company’s policy, proof of vaccination will need to be provided prior to joining a tour, with travelers on an Insight Vacations or Luxury Gold itinerary also required to show documentation upon arrival to their destination. Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold itineraries in Australia and New Zealand are excluded from the vaccination requirement. Updated Aug. 31.