Tourists from the Netherlands travel to Greece for an all-inclusive experimental getaway
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In a groundbreaking initiative, travel organization Sunweb and low-cost airline Transavia recently organised an eight-day "test holiday" for 189 Dutch tourists on the Greek island of Rhodes. The objective was to make travel as safe as possible for all parties, providing valuable insights into how to enjoy a coronavirus-safe holiday in the future.
Before setting foot on the island, each participant underwent both PCR and rapid tests to ensure they were free from the virus. Upon arrival, they were subject to continuous hygiene and sanitization protocols, with accommodations, transport, and meeting points being meticulously cleaned and disinfected.
The guests were encouraged to monitor their symptoms closely and act promptly if they felt unwell, aligning with guidance on isolating if positive. The controlled group size of 189 tourists and potential supervision of activities helped reduce exposure risk, making contact tracing feasible.
Incorporation of rapid, accessible COVID-19 tests, including self-tests or clinic-based testing, facilitated frequent monitoring. The guests completed surveys during their stay, and their behavior was analysed by scientists. However, they were not allowed to leave the resort and would quarantine upon their return to the Netherlands.
This model, which demonstrated key strategies such as pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 testing, strict hygiene and sanitization protocols, monitoring and symptom vigilance, controlled group sizes, and the use of rapid antigen and PCR testing, can be adapted and tested in other countries, including Belgium.
The information gathered from this test holiday is hoped to be used to improve communications and actions for a safe and pleasant tourist experience next summer. Sunweb has expressed interest in being the initiator of a similar experiment in Belgium, providing more insights into safely organizing holidays during the Covid-19 pandemic.
If non-essential travel in and out of Belgium is allowed from 19 April, as expected by Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, strict controls on compliance with test requirements will be implemented. This approach helps in assessing risks and refining travel safety guidelines to minimise virus spread while allowing holiday travel.
- The test holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes involved 189 tourists staying at a resort, with the aim being to test safety measures for coronavirus-safe holidays in the future.
- The guests underwent both PCR and rapid tests before arriving at the island, and continued hygiene and sanitization protocols were implemented throughout their stay.
- If non-essential travel in and out of Belgium is allowed from 19 April, strict controls on compliance with test requirements will be imposed to assess risks and refine travel safety guidelines.
- Sunweb, the travel organization behind the test holiday on Rhodes, has expressed interest in organizing a similar experiment in Belgium to gather more insights into safely organizing holidays during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The information gathered from the test holiday on Rhodes can be used to improve communications and actions for a safe and enjoyable tourist experience next summer, benefiting the lifestyle and travel industry.
