Covid19 Update
Please find International Friends policies regarding COVID19 below. We hope this answers your questions about our response to COVID19, but please feel free to contact us if you have a question not answered in the collapsible sections below.
Good news!! We are now back operating a full programme of day trips, tours & transfers.
We would like to reassure all customers that the health and safety of International Friends customers and staff will continue to remain our number one priority. The situation here is monitored daily, and updates will be provided when there are changes to the current situation.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OFFICE & CONTACT DETAILS
Our team of staff are now all back working, with a mix of office and working from home. We do have phone lines open, but we recommend contacting us by email at [email protected] as opposed to by telephone. This will ensure your email is forwarded to the relevant staff member immediately, and our team will reply to any emails as quickly as possible.
DAY TRIPS AND TOURS 2021 & 2022
Free cancellation available on the vast majority of products up to 7 days before before your travel date. For Harry Potter Studio, Downton Abbey, Overnight tours/packages and Private day trips free cancellation up to 14 days before travel.
- Policy above applies to all bookings received from 10th March 2020. If you booked before this date your original terms and conditions apply.
CRUISE/SHORE EXCURSIONS & TRANSFERS 2021 & 2022
If your cruise ship cancels for any date we will immediately offer a change of date or full refund.
Please note these policies do not apply retroactively for bookings cancelled prior to Monday 6th April 2020.
If you have any questions or queries regarding the above, or any International Friends product please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
GTI Travel Group Ltd - Leaders in travel for visitors to Britain
Covid 19 Safety Policy & Accredition
International Friends Safety Policy for Covid-19 has been designed taking account of key guidelines and information from three key sources:
- World Travel & Tourism Council ‘Safe Travels’ initiative
- UK government advice on travelling in Britain
- Working closely with our key partners (e.g. tourist attractions) and staff (guides, drivers).
We have been awarded the "We're Good To Go" mark. This is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism business has worked hard to implement procedures in line with Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
KEY OBJECTIVE – TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENJOYMENT FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS CUSTOMERS AND STAFF
To meet our Key Objective, our planning and delivery has been broken down into 3 areas:
1. STAFF AND OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
We have developed a COVID-19 prevention plan including an action/checklist for infection prevention, and a special cleaning and disinfection plan.
- Protocols and guidelines are in place for staff health, including health checks for staff if required.
- Office layout has been re-designed to ensure staff keep their physical distance, and we have limited the number of staff in common back-of-house areas where possible.
- Protocols in place to minimise physical contact. Physical distancing protocols have been implemented.
- Personal protection equipment (PPE) is available to all staff, such as masks and hand sanitisers.
- We have worked closely with all suppliers and partners, including tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels and transport partners, to ensure they follo likeminded health and hygiene protocols and guidelines to protect all International Friends guests.
- A COVID-19 contingency plan is in place should new cases emerge, in collaboration with destinations, suppliers and partners.
- All cleanliness and disinfection best practices have been validated by expert bodies, health authorities and governmental institutions.
- Different options for operations have been explored to ensure the customer health and safety risk is as low as possible. Areas explored and implemented include smaller groups, timed entries for attractions and empty seat policies.
2. REBUILDING TRUST & CONFIDENCE: OUR PROMISE TO YOU
- We will provide clear, consistent and up-to-date communication to all customers on health & hygiene protocols.
- All suppliers to implement clear signage to inform guests of the enhanced cleaning protocols, avoiding physical contact, and recommendations
- We will share guest guidelines ahead of your day trip, tour or transfer and where applicable in person upon commencement of trip.
- Inform all guests about support available if questions or concerns arise prior to your travel with International Friends.
3. DELIVERING A SAFE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
- All vehicles used are deep cleaned and disinfected daily.
- Hand sanitiser products available to all guests on all vehicles.
- All attractions and restaurants pre-booked to ensure timed entry allowing for strict control of overall numbers present at any time.
- Established with partners and suppliers that they follow likeminded health, sanitation, disinfection and hygiene protocols aligned with local regulation.
Wonderful responsive customer service!
"We had booked with International Friends for our excursion after our big trans Atlantic cruise in June of 2020. Of course due to the pandemic, that cruise was cancelled. Of all the vendors we worked with International Friends is the only one that was responsive and worked with us to rebook for June of 2021. We lost a lot of money on other bookings because I didn’t realize they had a no refund policy. So now due to the continuing pandemic, our June 2021 cruise has been cancelled and of all our bookings International Friends is the only one that is working with us for a refund. We didn’t rebook another cruise because we don’t know what is going to happen. When we do we will be using International Friends for all of our London excursions, I have learned my lesson! I highly recommend them!" Tripadvisor traveller Pat W, February 2021
Hassle free refund
"Unfortunately due to the COVID19 travel ban, we were not able to make it to this trip. However, the staff was very professional and the refund was taken care of with no hassle." Tripadvisor traveller ViLi, July 2020
Great business
"For the Second year in a row our trip to London got cancelled. International Friends provided immediate refunds with just an email notice." Tripadvisor traveller Vincent C, July 2020
Superb Customer Service
"I have nothing but good things to say about this company. We have used them once in the past and had such a wonderful tour that we booked them again this year. Unfortunately Covid-19 prevented us from traveling to the UK and we asked to cancel. Our tour venue was not being refunded because the venue was not issuing any refunds, but International Friends was reimbursing out of their own pocket for all of the dates they were not operating. Our tour was scheduled after they resumed operations and they still worked with us giving us a credit and ample time to reschedule. This was above and beyond. All this and excellent, personable, well-written communications throughout. I highly recommend International Friends because I believe the true worth and value of a company comes into view when things do not go right. We are eagerly awaiting the time when we can travel again!" Tripadvisor traveller Macnac, July 2020
Hassle-Free Rescheduling
"When we scheduled our British Isles cruise, we thought that a Highclere Castle tour would be the perfect post-cruise activity. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our cruise is not happening. It was a pleasure to work with the staff at International Friends. They were extremely accommodating, and we are now looking forward to re-creating our vacation during the summer of 2021. We are so appreciative!" Tripadvisor traveller Suzzi F, July 2020
Wonderful Customer Service
"While I unfortunately was not able to take this tour (yet), I wanted to share my great experience with this company. When Princess canceled our summer cruise, this company was quick to refund my money, no questions asked. Their customer service was extremely responsive to emails and a delight to work with. I will definitely be booking them in the future when I am able to take the cruise." Tripadvisor traveller Casey W, May 2020
Wonderful Customer Service
"While I unfortunately was not able to take this tour (yet), I wanted to share my great experience with this company. When Princess canceled our summer cruise, this company was quick to refund my money, no questions asked. Their customer service was extremely responsive to emails and a delight to work with. I will definitely be booking them in the future when I am able to take the cruise." Tripadvisor traveller Casey W, May 2020
"We were so disappointed that our trip to London was canceled due to COVID-19. The highlight of the trip was going to be our WB Harry Potter tour and trip to Oxford with International Friends. A special thanks to International Friends for handling the pandemic so graciously and quickly refunding our money. We'll be back and book our tour as soon as we safely can!!" Tripadvisor traveller Chandi K, May 2020
"Even though I didn't take this tour, all of my interactions with International Friends were excellent. Their customer service is extraordinary!" Tripadvisor traveller Joan R, May 2020