At Ellison, we take pride in our attention to health and safety, and responsible travel. As global citizens, we take precautions to ensure the health and safety of our clients and our staff, and that the impact we leave on our communities and the destinations we visit is a positive one.
COVID-19
Our health and safety policies follow the public health guidance of Canadian and Global health authorities including the Public Health Agency of Canada, and The World Health Organization. As a stamp holder of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels protocols for tour operators, we follow strict protocols and work with likeminded suppliers who share our dedication to health and safety and strict hygiene protocols for all of our Ellison tours. Our processes and procedures focus on COVID-19 Operational Readiness, Staff Preparedness and Delivering a Safe Experience. Please note that the COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving internationally, and therefore so are our safety protocols. For more information please email us at safetravels@ellisontravel.com.
Safe Travels
Ellison Travel & Tours is a proud supporter of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s SafeTravels stamp and protocols. The SafeTravels stamp allows travellers to recognize governments, destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the SafeTravels health and hygiene global standardized protocols in response to COVID-19. SafeTravels protocols were compiled based on input from leading tour operators, World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines.
Key Resources:
Where Can I Go in Canada
https://caen-keepexploring.canada.travel/canada-nice#canadamap
Where Can I Go – International
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
Travel Advisories
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Entering Canada by Air
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
Registering when leaving Canada
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
World Travel and Tourism Council
https://wttc.org/
Responsible Travel & Enterprise
Ellison Travel is committed to sustainable travel, business and community. We strive to be responsible global citizens – socially and environmentally conscious of our precious planet, its people and its resources. We are acutely aware of the powerful impact our business has on not only our travellers but the environment, people, and communities that we visit. We have the responsibility to leave a positive impact by supporting the well-being of local economies, partnering with responsible travel providers and charity organizations who share our values, and reducing our footprint where possible. As a business, we strive to ensure an inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, and promote the importance of well-being of our people, of our local economy and the broader community. Giving back to the causes we believe in, as well as our local community businesses is ingrained in who we are. Further, we are committed to leading by example.
Risk Management
At Ellison, we pride ourselves on our attention to risk management and duty of care. We take proactive measures to avoid travel disruptions, and continue to invest in technologies and global travel alert services that give our clients peace of mind. Our monitoring systems allow us to quickly determine where our clients are located anywhere in the world, and flag any potential risks or travel advisories as they are determined. With Ellison, you have someone to rely on while travelling. For more information, please see our You’re Protected Document
Ellison is a Certified Student Travel Organization (CSTO) – an accreditation given by the Center for Student Travel Safety, an affiliate of the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA). SYTA is the voice of student travel for tour operators and suppliers worldwide. We are the first tour operator in Canada to receive this certification, which is awarded to companies who have met or exceeded the minimum of 25 safety standards established by the Center and SYTA. SYTA is the only association in the industry equipped to educate student travel providers about all aspects of student travel, with an emphasis on student travel safety and personal and educational enrichment. The standards are derived from the most effective industry practices and are based upon SYTA’s Code of Ethics and reviewed by an objective commission of industry experts. For more information please visit: www.ellisontravel.com/newsroom/ellison-travel-tours-earns-travel-safety-certification/
Dedicated Safe Travels Team
Our Safe Travels Team brings together public health and risk management expertise, educators and highly skilled travel planners and tour managers to ensure that robust policies and procedures are in place for the health and safety of our tours. Our team will ensure that our tours meet all appropriate COVID-19 and other public health guidelines, and that our Ellison tour managers are equipped with safety and risk management training, as well as all of the tools and resources to facilitate a safe experience for our travellers. Further, our Safe Travels Team is available 24/7 to our groups on tour, should any assistance be required.
“Having worked in public health planning and policy for many years prior to joining the travel business, I bring a unique lens to my role at Ellison and try to combine my commitment to public health with my passion for travel. Now more than ever, health and safety and responsible travel are paramount and this is at the forefront of our planning. At Ellison, we are here for you every step of the way.”
Michelle Branco, BA, MPH
Ellison part-owner, Vice President and Safe Travels Team Lead
