We’re so excited for groups to begin traveling once again in the 2021-2022 season. We’ve used this unprecedented time to adapt and evolve – paving the way for the “new normal” associated with student travel, in order to ensure clean, safe, and memorable tours for our groups.
While there may be new guidelines, new protocols, and a new normal, we promise to be the same EPT – ready, willing, and able to provide unique and exciting, once in a lifetime performance tours for you and your performing arts students.
Performing For You – Safely!
We review all itineraries to ensure vendors are meeting or exceeding CDC guidelines and local requirements. We will provide a safety briefing to your group’s director, prior to departing, that will give a comprehensive overview of vendor protocols.
New health and safety training for all EPT Tour Directors and Tour Managers who are prepared with a detailed plan should a traveler show symptoms of COVID-19 while on their tour.
We will provide you and your group with an EPT Backpack, loaded with face masks and hand sanitizer to ensure our travelers are taking all precautions to stay safe and healthy!
Let EPT be your Mark of Confidence as we continue to “perform for you” – with your health and safety at the forefront. Should your tour be cancelled for reasons beyond your control, our Operations Team will work with vendors to ensure you get the highest refund possible.
For any other questions or concerns, please view our FAQ’s below!
Educational Performance Tours respects and values the long-standing relationships we have developed with our Directors, their administrations, and their performing arts programs. It is both a source of pride and pleasure that we have the privilege of working with countless locations and companies in the planning of each tour, and it is our goal to make each trip seamless and successful. We delight in assisting our Directors in providing them once in a lifetime experiences and unique and exciting performance opportunities for the further development of their performing arts programs.
Move Forward With Educational Performance Tours
It is no secret with the entrance of COVID-19 the world was set into a tailspin. School Districts mandated trip cancellations, states and cities mandated shelter in place orders, and the closure of companies, theatres, museums, restaurants, etc., became the norm.
We have utilized this unprecedented time preparing for the upcoming travel season and the resurgence of the cities we have come to know and love working with.
It is our hope that you will join us as we forge ahead and explore various options so that we can continue to assist you in making every school year productive, educational, and stimulating for you and your performing arts programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I make a decision about when and where to travel?
Our Tour Directors have been actively monitoring the impact that COVID-19 is having on the destinations where we operate tours, as well as the CDC’s guidelines, and advice from our partners at the Northwell Health System in New York City- where our National Headquarters is located. This includes constant communication with our many partners and vendors around the country regarding changes they have made to ensure the safety of our travelers. Our Tour Directors are always kept abreast regarding advancements in each respective city and will notify you, the Director, should any changes to the itinerary need to be made.
Can I get a refund if I choose to cancel?
Should your tour be cancelled for reasons beyond your control, we will work with vendors to ensure you get the highest refund possible. Check out our EPT Mark of Confidence video below. If you’re more than 90 days out from your tour’s departure date, you’ll receive a full refund less any non-recoverable payments we have already made to vendors. If you’re 90 days or less from your tour date, you will still receive a refund, less those non-recoverable payments and a minimal operational administrative service fee.
What are non-recoverable payments?
Your Educational Performance Tours experience begins well before you depart for your tour. Directors and Tour Organizers typically begin working with our Tour Directors months, sometimes years, prior to the trip in order to design a custom itinerary to meet the specific needs of their performing arts program. In consideration of the hours spent writing itineraries, booking hotels, making reservations, adjusting and readjusting schedules, and of course, developing our signature masterclasses, shows, and performances that make your tour worthwhile, there may be a non-recoverable operational administrative service fee applied upon your cancellation. This helpful resource from the Student & Youth Travel Association sheds light on the group travel booking process.
Will we need to wear masks?
You will need to follow any local, state, or national guidelines regarding face coverings. When the group is on a private motorcoach, or in an open public area you may be able to make a group decision about wearing masks. For groups performing (playing musical instruments or singing), Educational Performance Tours is actively monitoring discussions in the scientific and music education community, as well as following the direction of our partners at Northwell Health, to develop options that are appropriate for your ensemble.
Will we get our temperature checked?
There may be temperature checks at airports, hotels, restaurants, museums, theatres, studios, and various attractions. We ask that all EPT travelers adhere to the local protocols these venues have put in place to ensure the safety of its patrons.
What can I do to stay healthy?
To keep yourself and others safe and healthy, comply with special instructions issued by local officials including social distancing when possible and wearing a mask when in a closed public setting.
Adhere to known, effective best practices to minimize your chance of getting sick:
• Do not touch any part of your face without first washing your hands.
• Avoid unnecessary touching of other persons, and limit touching publicly shared surfaces when possible.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Carry hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol) and use it for situations where hand washing might not be possible.
Mark of Confidence
