MESSAGE from
our CEO
‘Welcome to Thompsons Africa. We’re thrilled that you are considering booking your guests’ travel arrangements with us. Since March 2020, it certainly hasn’t been ‘business as usual’, but we are excited and inspired by the surge in interest we’ve seen for people wanting to travel again.
I feel privileged to be writing this message as the Chief Executive Officer of Thompsons Africa. The global spread of COVID-19 in 2020 Jonathan Gadiah triggered a remarkable response from our customers and supplier partners and especially within the Thompsons Africa family. I am very proud of the flexibility, resilience and courage I have seen among our people. Their commitment and loyalty to the company during such a turbulent time is remarkable. It is this ‘caring heart’ attitude of our people that your guests will feel at every touchpoint during their journey to Southern Africa. As part of Cullinan Holdings, whose main shareholder is a family-owned entity, The Travel Corporation, we are also a proud member of their TreadRight Foundation. With a rise in worldwide interest in environmental and social issues, we are pleased to share our commitment to the How We Tread Right campaign, more of which you’ll read about in the following pages. Finally, with guest safety being our number one priority, we have implemented several safety measures with every precaution considered. Read more about that below. Enjoy paging through our experiences and, we look forward to welcoming guests onboard our journeys.’
VEHICLE Safety
Your safety is our number one priority and we have implemented the following safety measures in all our vehicles: • • • • • • •
Vehicles are cleaned and sanitized daily. Anti-bacterial spray/foggers are used daily to circulate through the vehicles air conditioning systems. Face masks are compulsory for all entering the vehicles. Sanitation of hands and feet is required before entering the vehicles. Temperature checks are mandatory on entering the vehicles. Frequent touchpoints and surfaces will be sanitized at each stop. Load vehicles to Government regulations to adhere to safe social distancing.
COVID-19 CULLINAN HOLDINGS VACCINATION POLICY With rising global COVID-19 cases among the unvaccinated population, Cullinan Holdings have implemented a policy requiring all guests travelling either on a group or scheduled tour with Thompsons Africa, to be fully vaccinated. A group is defined as any guest travelling with one or more persons who are not family or friends. If however fellow guests are family or friends travelling in isolation of other guests (private bookings), no mandatory vaccination is required (to be reviewed based on the prevailing global circumstances). This requirement applies to groups (ad-hoc and series), Guided Journeys and all scheduled departure day tour experiences, and is done in the interest of creating a safe environment for everyone. It is the guests’ responsibility to ensure that they always comply with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all their holiday due to their failure to comply with these requirements. Guests will be responsible for any resulting additional costs including travel and accommodation. Proof of vaccinations may be requested, when necessary. We further strongly recommend that guests ensure they have adequate medical and travel insurance for the duration of their stay in Southern Africa. View our full Thompsons Africa Covid-19 Disclaimer and Vaccination Requirement document. PAGE 2
