FAQs

In relation to COVID-19, have your Boutique Small Group Journeys of Europe resumed?

Yes, 4 of our tours are scheduled to depart in 2023 with bookings for this year now closed. 4 tours are planned again for 2024 as per the info on this website.

As we emerge from the pandemic, official rules and regulations in relation to future travel change rapidly.

For regular updates please follow the info on the COVID-19 page of this website, subscribe to our informative digital newsletter or follow our Facebook Page. Alternatively, contact us any time by email or on Tel. (07) 5575 7591.

Please also refer to the official Australian Government Smart Traveller updates for accurate information covering all of our European destinations.

We hope to welcome you on board again shortly and trust the info below as part of our official COVID-19 response will assist (subject to change). Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time with any specific questions you may have.

Do I have to be vaccinated to participate on your small group tours?

Yes, following the lead of most global tour operators and also referring to official announcements of the Australian Government, in order to travel overseas and return to Australia it will be a requirement to be fully vaccinated prior to commencement of your tour.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy - TIKI TOURS

Covering all of our future tours, our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all tour participants to be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and provide proof of their COVID-19 full vaccination status prior to commencement of the tour.

Attention : Travellers with a valid medical reason will be exempt but must show official government documentation of their exemption as well as a negative PCR COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days prior to departure.

At the time of booking, the full COVID-19 Vaccination status must be presented as well as to the Tour Director at the time of tour departure.

We also refer to the info in our standard Booking Terms & Conditions on this website.

Which vaccination documentation do I need to bring on tour ?

Please print a copy of your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) as issued by the Australian government and add this to your travel documents. As a back up, we also recommend adding a saved copy of your certificate to your smartphone.

The proof of vaccination status must include the tour participants full name (exactly as per valid passport) and the date of which the final vaccination took place (which must be at least 14 days prior to tour departure).

FAQs

Which vaccine documentation is required for travel in Europe?

It is important to note that once you leave Australia, each destination will have its own specific requirements when it comes to demonstrating your vaccination status.

It is the responsibility of each tour participant to know the rules and regulations for the country you depart from (including Australia) as well as each destination you will visit on tour and / or transit through.

For more info we recommend following the smarttraveller.gov.au website featuring each destinations vaccination requirements.

Are there any other official forms that need completing?

If and where applicable, we will discuss any official documentation that needs completing well before your tour departure.

When will I receive all final documentation for the tour?

We will provide a further update on any specific travel requirements and documentation required approximately 1 month prior to tour departure.

All final travel documents will be despatched electronically for quick and easy access.

What kind of COVID-19 health and safety protocols does TIKI TOURS have in place?

Our general health and safety protocols are of the highest standards and in line with the official recommendations of the WHO and the various tourism bodies worldwide.

Please be assured that your health and safety is our priority at all times and we are proud to carry the WTTC ‘Safe Travel’ Stamp.

FAQ

What about the health and safety protocols of everyone you work with i.e. your coach company and partner hotels?

Our many suppliers in Europe follow the same high health and safety standards with most having developed their own protocol on COVID-19.

To give you an example, please visit the following link https://www.parador.es/en/safe-paradores published on the official website of ‘Paradores’, our partner hotel group in Spain for 26 years.

What kind of transport / coach do you use?

For your comfort and well before COVID-19 we have always opted to work with larger luxury coaches even for our small groups. To give you an example, a group of approx. 8-12 pax will usually travel in a 16 or 19 Seater Mercedes vehicle and also depending on the destination and itinerary, we often work with 30 or 40 seater coaches.

Our coach operators in Europe have their own health and safety protocols in place including regular cleaning and sanitising of the coach and the use of hand-sanitisers.

Our boutique small group tours of Europe rarely exceed 15 tour participants. Most of our groups travel with approx. 8-12 pax.

What can we expect from our Tour Director in Europe?

Our senior tour directors in Europe are highly trained individuals, fully informed and well aware of the many health and safety protocols as set out by our many suppliers. They will ensure that COVID-19 policies will be strictly adhered to at all times.

It is important to note that our tour managers are European born and based, they are current with all latest developments and specific requirements when it comes to travelling our destinations.

What can I do myself prior and during my time on tour to assist you and your team on the ground ?

To assist us and our team in Europe, there are many things you can do to safeguard the health of yourself, your fellow tour members and the many local communities we visit.

Please take the time to study and respect local protocols as set out by our many suppliers including individual hotel policies. We will provide you with further updates prior and during your tour.

As a rule, all tour participants must follow the highest standards of personal hygiene in particular to regular hand washing.

Important : We recommend carrying a COVID-19 kit on tour at all times including ample face masks (type KN95 or similar), hand sanitiser, various RAT tests, Panadol etc.)

FAQ

What happens if someone tests positive for COVID-19 during the tour?

Our European tour director will carefully assess the situation and will follow the advice and regulations of local authorities should a tour member test positive for COVID-19 on tour. Our team on the ground will assist to ensure you receive the medical care you need.

What happens if I need to quarantine whilst on tour?

Together with local authorities and suppliers, we will assist you should you need to isolate during your time on tour. It is important to note that any expenses related to testing, treatment or quarantine are at your / your insurers cost.

What are your guidelines when it comes to wearing face masks on tour?

We will assess the topic of wearing face masks on tour if and where needed. We will at all times respect and follow local guidelines and protocol. Wearing of masks during flights will be confirmed by our carriers in due course if and where applicable.

What about social distancing?

Together with our partners in Europe we will follow official protocol in place as set out by local authorities to ensure that the practise of social distancing is respected and adhered to during your time on tour.

FAQ

Will I receive further updates about my trip once I have booked to travel in 2024?

Yes, most certainly, we are closely monitoring developments in our European destinations and will provide you with updates about your trip if and when they become available to us.

We are in touch with our European suppliers and tour directors or a regular basis ensuring we are up to date at all times. Since we have a direct line with the people we work with, we can check on COVID-19 health and safety protocols if and where needed.

As part of your final tour documentation we will issue a check list of all requirements needed for your time on tour. (including info on PCR testing).

What is the ‘Safe Travels’ Stamp issued but the WTTC?

The specially designed ‘Safe Travel’ stamp allows travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world which have adopted the SafeTravels healthy and hygiene standardised protocols so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short-term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols outlined by the World Travel Tourism Council have been implemented.

As a tour operator and member of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), TIKI TOURS have adopted the COVID Safe Travel Protocols.

Is your COVID-19 Policy part of your standard Booking Terms & Conditions?

Yes, our COVID-19 Policy is part of our standard Booking Terms & Conditions.

What is the validity of these COVID-19 FAQ?

This COVID-19 FAQ section of our website was last updated on 11 August 2023.