Travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak with airport transport service Welcome Pickups.

  Greece - 03/05/2020 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

The travel industry has been hit hard: large areas in China and Italy are being quarantined, seasonal events, festival celebrations and conferences are being cancelled. China's air traffic has been cut by 70% and hotel bookings are dropping by 90% in certain areas in Asia. IATA’s economics team estimates that Asia’s airlines will lose $28 billion in 2020 and the travel industry experts expect this disruption to cost $46.6 billion each month.

In comparison to other in-destination modes of transportation such as bus, metro, or taxi, private transfers remain the safest and most reliable transport option from an airport or other hub towards the final point of a traveller’s journey, especially in affected areas. Welcome Pickups has set their travellers’ safety as a top priority during this time, by taking extra initiatives towards their on-going goal in offering a frictionless, stress-free and personalised transfer.

Welcome Pickups drivers in all 54 operating destinations have been directed to follow the steps below, according to the key World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines:

• To have hand sanitisers available in the car, both for themselves and for travellers.
• To wash their hands often with soap and water.
• To regularly wipe down surfaces in the car with a household cleaning spray or wipe.
• To stay informed about potential incidents in their country and inform Travellers about the latest developments and areas to avoid, if any.
• If they show any symptoms, to stop working immediately in order to protect Travellers.

As Welcome Pickups understand that travel plans might have to change unexpectedly, based on the latest developments,they have also rapidly adapted their booking modification and cancellation policies. There is now a new option to receive a flexible voucher for the full value of a cancelled trip, which can be used at any Welcome Pickups location, at any time in the future and by anyone, as it can be passed on to other travellers.

Together with their partners, which include over +1000 hotels, +3700 vacation rental properties and online travel agents, they are taking measures to keep providing travellers with the highest level of service during the coronavirus outbreak. By adapting rapidly and taking every actionable measure they ensure they maintain an undisrupted airport transfer service. 

Alex Trimis, the CEO of Welcome Pickups has quoted: 

At Welcome we are taking the stress out of the travel experience. Currently this means offering the safest way to get you to your next destination

About Welcome Pickups 

Welcome Pickups is an in-destination travel services provider, offering airport transfers, sightseeing rides and related services. Its online booking platform links guests, drivers and businesses in the hotel, accommodation, travel and events sectors. Welcome Pickups has offices in Athens and Barcelona

Welcome Pickups aims to make its users feel at home in every new city they travel to. Their drivers and customer service team offer a personalised welcome and local know-how.

Welcome Pickups are open to providing interviews and comments on the effect of the situation on the travel industry. Top management, including the CEO, are available to reply to Q&A emails, phone calls etc.