Jointly launched ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive programme to safe travel in COVID-19 era
Thomas Cook India along with its Group Company SOTC Travel, jointly launched ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive programme to safe travel in the COVID-19 era. The companies have partnered with Apollo Clinics – a member of the Apollo Hospitals Group.
Thomas Cook India and SOTC, have spent the last few months talking to their customers to understand their concerns and priorities when it comes to travel in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A significant 75 per cent of the respondents of the Thomas Cook India & SOTC Holiday Readiness Survey stated that health and safety was their overriding concern.
To build confidence that it is safe to travel again, the companies have worked jointly with partners across the travel ecosystem to create the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured programme, that ensures meticulous health and safety protocols – at every stage of the customer journey – from the various contactless booking processes, safe physical outlets and processes at the sales / servicing pre tour stage, as well as the on-tour stage.
The Assured Programme also defines a series of comprehensive health and safety measures in place across every travel touch-point from airports, airlines, local transportation, hotels, restaurants and attractions and encompasses employees and suppliers, sellers and channels, including franchisees and customers.
Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook India said, “Across Thomas Cook India & SOTC, our customers have been clear that health, hygiene and safety is their prime concern when it comes to travel in the COVID-19 era. Hence, our teams have spent a significant time at the drawing board and worked jointly with key travel partners / stakeholders to create this very comprehensive initiative.
I am proud today to launch of The Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Programme, in association with Apollo Clinics – the most respected brand in the healthcare sector, to jointly set a benchmark for customer safety in this new normal for travel.”
“As part of the Assured Programme, we have examined every customer touch point, right from enquiry via our websites or apps, interactions with our call centres, virtual visits via calls or video calls with our nearest branch – all to ensure contactless, safe interactions. Across every stage of our customers’ journey, they will find a host of measures put in place – across airports and airlines and then at every stage of their journey with our transport, hotel, restaurant and attractions partners. Our intent is that our Assured Programme, serve as a handy guide / reference point that would assist all our stakeholders in the Travel & Tourism Industry achieve a single common goal ie. ‘Safe travel for all Indians’.”
Dr Ajay H Gangoli, Director Medical Services, Apollo Health & Lifestyle, said “The Apollo group keeps patient and health professionals’ safety as a top priority. In these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speed with which the virus has spread across the globe is very indicative that borders are not respected by these diseases. Apropos, the need to address issues to make travel safe fits into the Apollo goal.
The association with Thomas Cook India and SOTC, who are a recognised brand for travel, domestic and global, is an endeavour that will make travel safe and stress free. Apollo Clinics and the Apollo Group have been at the forefront for creating safe environments for the home and office post the lockdown and this association is a natural progression for us to keep everyone safe and healthy.”