Safety and Security At Encore, we take the welfare of each and every participant on our tours very seriously. Just as we work tirelessly to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences to group leaders and their ensembles, we are equally committed to ensuring that all of our travelers return home safely. Our safety and support infrastructure has been a cornerstone of our business for nearly thirty years. Touring in a COVID World Building on our decades-long track record of delivering safe, positive travel experiences We’re now preparing extra safety measures throughout the on-tour process to ensure our groups are protected when we begin to hit the road again in the months ahead. This new approach to travel is based on the best expert information currently available. As conditions change, we will follow the science and adjust our response accordingly.Travelers can take the first step in protecting themselves and their group by getting vaccinated. This will also ensure that they can fully participate in all of the activities planned on the itinerary.Visit Encore’s Our Response page to see how we have added flexibility to our pre-departure policies as well. Revised Itineraries We are reviewing all of our tour itineraries to see where we can incorporate a heightened focus on well-being from the beginning. Safety and security have always been hallmarks of traveling with Encore, and with the introduction of new travel protocols for 2021 and 2022 groups, that focus will be even sharper in the year ahead. We’re also adjusting our use of different modes of transportation, the types of activities we offer, and the times of day at which we offer them, all with our participants’ safety in mind. To maximize safety, we’re also reducing unnecessary interactions throughout the day. For example, room allocations will be completed while en route so that travelers will be able to go directly to their rooms upon arrival at a hotel. We will do everything in our power so that you can feel more assured when you tuck yourself in for the night. Enhanced Hygiene Protocol We are reviewing all of our tour itineraries to see where we can incorporate a heightened focus on well-being from the beginning. Safety and security have always been hallmarks of traveling with Encore, and with the introduction of new travel protocols for 2021 and 2022 groups, that focus will be even sharper in the year ahead. We’re also adjusting our use of different modes of transportation, the types of activities we offer, and the times of day at which we offer them, all with our participants’ safety in mind. To maximize safety, we’re also reducing unnecessary interactions in the day. For example, room allocations will be completed while en route so that travelers will be able to go directly to their rooms upon arrival at a hotel. We will do everything in our power so that you can feel more assured when you tuck yourself in for the night. Safely Delivered by Expert Tour Managers Encore Tour Managers are travel experts and will take you on an unforgettable journey. They’re highly educated and passionate about music, culture, and travel. They’re also highly trained on handling any type of situation on tour and will have a major role to play in fulfilling safety promises made to our travelers. Our veteran tour managers have been closely involved in developing our enhanced safety protocols and our full tour manager team will receive comprehensive training on these new health and safety steps in advance of our next travel season. Handling Illness on Tour All Encore participants are enrolled in an international protection plan that will provide needed care should someone fall ill. In the event participants become sick and/or are quarantined, Encore will work with local and international authorities to get them home as quickly as possible. If housing is not provided, Encore will secure accommodations. We will also buy new return airline tickets, if necessary. If a minor is ill or quarantined on tour, Encore will arrange for flights and a hotel for a parent to be present for the full duration of the quarantine as well. Working with Trusted Industry Partners We put considerable time into choosing industry partners that uphold and represent the Encore quality standard. We’ve been speaking to all our partners to ensure they’re following the same hygiene protocols we have set in place. Our airline partners are sanitizing their cabins before each flight, requiring the use of masks, physical distancing when necessary and using disposable paper products among their precautionary measures. Spotlight: Lufthansa Airlines See how one of our biggest airline providers is changing their approach to travel Our hotel partners are using similar tactics: sanitizing rooms before and after each use, limiting guests in their lobby/public spaces and removing common high-touch items from hotel rooms. Spotlight: Clayton Hotels Learn more about how one of our hotel partners in the British Isles has adapted to welcoming guests in today’s environment Our restaurant partners are limiting their capacities and sanitizing between each guest. Servers practice extra caution and many locations are using paper menus and other creative methods to ensure your safety. Spotlight: Prezzo Restaurants Discover how Prezzo has modified the dining experience with safety in mind at its family of eateries.