Coronavirus: Omio Open Travel Index launched to provide travellers vital COVID-19 advice

Coronavirus: Omio Open Travel Index launched to provide travellers vital COVID-19 advice

Safe travel information portal developed to inspire confidence among its users

European multi-modal booking platform Omio has launched a tool to help travellers navigate the various COVID-19 travel rules and restrictions as borders re-open.

The firm’s Open Travel Index will help users to find information by providing access to the latest available insights as they cross borders, change flights, buses, trains and ferries or move within national regions.

The tool has been developed so users can see how different countries have responded to the pandemic, and how quickly and where travel restrictions are being kept in place and lifted.

The sort of information that is being made available includes:

  • Where users can travel to based on country of origin;
  • Overall status regarding travel into and within a particular country;
  • Whether non-residents are permitted access;
  • Travel rules and safety regulations to follow when travelling within a country;
  • Provider travel policies, safety measures and refund information.

Justin Wang, director of brand at Omio said: “As travel makes its comeback, Omio has recognised its own responsibility to help not just its customers but the industry as a whole.

“We wanted to create a tool knowing that each country is working at their own pace to lift restrictions, and the first question on everyone’s minds is ‘where can I go safely?’

“With so much information out there being updated at different times, we hope the Omio Open Travel Index will help travellers feel confident and safe to travel, and most importantly inspire travel in our hearts again.”

Omio said its user-friendly interactive map will provide peace of mind and incorporates a colour-coded traffic light system to indicate whether a destination remains restricted, partially reopened or full reopened.

Within the providers’ section, travellers will be able to review specific measures that might apply across more than 50 travel providers, such as compulsory wearing of face masks, or certification of fitness for travel.

The hub will be updated on a weekly basis with advice like safety measures put in place by providers along with updated booking and cancellation policies.

Omio said it will make use of its travel planning platform, Rome2rio which gives it expertise in “sourcing, curating and synthesising” transport data worldwide.

“Given the changeable nature of travel restrictions at this time, Rome2rio has expanded its focus to collect the latest country restriction and safety measure information within Europe,” the firm said.

“They have built the data to understand country-to-country dependencies in order to help the customer easily understand how this impacts them.

“Rome2rio will be updating the information on a regular basis to ensure results are timely and accurate enabling travellers to make informed decisions.”

Rome2Rio plans to expand this information globally in the coming weeks.

Wang added: “Omio offers contactless payment and mobile ticket delivery, it also offers a delightful customer experience – everything you would expect from a first-class online booking system, such as seat reservations and travel alerts.

“Omio continues to provide enhanced information in an easily-digestible format to give travellers confidence as face masks and hand sanitiser become the definitive travel essentials of the future.”