Thomas Cook partners with covid-testing company
Thomas Cook is the latest travel company to partner with a covid testing firm to offer travellers free or discounted tests.
The news follows confirmation from the Government that all international travellers, including UK nationals, will need to show a negative Covid test to enter England and Scotland in a tightening of border controls to tackle the spread of infections.
International travellers must take a test up to 72 hours before arriving in England and Scotland and present the negative result before boarding.
On arrival into the UK, Border Force will conduct spot checks on passengers. Those unable to provide a negative test face a £500 fine
Thomas Cook has partnered with covid-testing firm Randox to offer a discounted Covid-19 test to its customers for £85.
A Thomas Cook spokesman said it was waiting to know more about the implementation of the testing regime but was hoping to point customers to testing centres and/or include them in the holiday if there was a way of doing it at scale.
He added that until the Government provides more guidance on the test type and how it’s going to be implemented it was impossible to ‘finalise our approach’.
In December Club Med announced it was partnering with Randox to offer clients discounted tests with Randox, bringing the cost down to £95.
EasyJet entered partnerships with two covid testing firms with Confirm Testing and City Doc, while Tui is also discounting home testing kits through a discount code on its website. Wizz also has a discount code for Confirm Testing on its website.
Luxury tour operator Nemo said it would be working with hotels and destinations to cover the cost of the required tests.
Co-founder Tom Harding said: "If we need to put a product in place we can move quickly, working with our high end hotel partners and destinations. Even in remote corners of Namibia or on an island retreat in the Maldives, we can work with hotels to provide PCR tests for our travellers."
By Louise Longman, Contributing Editor (UK)
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season