The holiday pilot that Sunweb Group and Transavia organized in collaboration with Mitsis Hotels at the request of the Dutch government has been successfully completed. All 188 guests and 100 hotel employees have completed the holiday pilot in a healthy and safe manner. The parties hope it will send an optimistic message to the world about a safe restart of tourism in Europe. On April 12, 188 guests were warmly welcomed by the staff of the Mitsis Grand Hotel, the only ultra-all-inclusive 5-star seaside hotel in historic Rhodes. The holiday pilot was supported by the Greek government and all relevant authorities in the Netherlands and Greece. In addition to this support, the excellent cooperation between Transavia, HCC, Travel Exchange, Mitsis Hotels and Sunweb contributed to the successful implementation of this holiday pilot.
At the request of the Dutch government, Sunweb and Transavia organized an 8-day all-inclusive holiday pilot to Rhodes. The aim of this pilot was to gain insights and data about the conditions under which people can go on holiday safely and responsibly. The research focuses on compliance with basic measures, tests and quarantine measures. This is done by conducting various anonymous surveys and by conducting observations and interviews at the resort in Rhodes. The results of the observations and interviews are processed anonymously. Travelers knew this investigation was being conducted and agreed when they confirmed their registration for the trip.
Sunweb Group chose Mitsis Hotels because of their successful cooperation for many years. The security protocols drawn up by Sunweb Group and Transavia together with the Dutch government have been very well implemented by Mitsis Hotels. The highest priority for Mitsis Hotels is the health and safety of its guests. Therefore, the company had already drawn up a detailed action plan and operational protocols. Each staff member underwent PCR testing before the start and at the end of the program. The holiday pilot test was carried out with detailed safety protocols approved by the Dutch RIVM.
The protocols include PCR and rapid tests before, during and after the trip, following all required protective measures. In concrete terms, the test procedure for the 187 selected guests was as follows, before arrival: All participants underwent PCR tests 72 hours before the journey, while rapid tests were carried out by HCC at Schiphol 4 hours before departure. Before departure: All participants had PCR tests 72 hours before departure and rapid tests 4 hours before departure to the Netherlands, all performed by EODY (the Greek RIVM). Upon return to the Netherlands: All guests are quarantined for 10 days after returning home or undergo a new PCR test after five days of quarantine. If that PCR test is negative, they will be removed from quarantine. The Dutch government will soon announce the results and valuable insights of the holiday pilot, according to Sunweb Group website.
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