safety
EF on the ground: global travel support for teachers and students
EF TOurs Staff | December 6, 2024
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EF Tours support network never sleeps. When you are boarding planes and catching trains, we send our Canadian staff out to key destinations to meet you on the road, even in places where we already have offices. The moment you set foot in a new city or country, we want to make sure you see a friendly face in the crowd.
Having a service team nearby helps us ensure your journey is enjoyable and runs as smoothly as possible. It also gives our Canadian staff the privilege of witnessing travel ‘firsts’—trying a local dish for the first time, chatting with locals in their native tongue, or the fascinating ways students explore new places. These experiences will shape them for a lifetime. We truly believe that being on the ground with our customers helps us build lasting relationships and gives us the chance to share the incredible stories that only travel can provide.
– Stu J, Director, Sales Enablement
We sent our Canadian service team abroad! Hear directly from members of our 2024 team, who served as our "boots on the ground" in top destinations like Rome and Paris during peak travel season:
How do teachers benefit from having a Canadian service team available during peak travel season?
Dan: We‘re in over 100 countries and across every time zone, but I think having Canadian team members on the ground in-destination gives the teacher leading the group a sense of comfort. We are always present to help them get acclimated to their surroundings, or to answer a simple question while they are on tour. The teachers feel supported during their journey, and it shows them that we are all connected—one big team working together across the globe to ensure their students have an unbelievable experience.
What’s an example of how teachers might interact with the service team while on tour?
Jenny: If a teacher wants to add a spontaneous museum visit to their itinerary tomorrow, we are there to make it happen—the words we live by are ’nothing is impossible’. If they have a question about good lunch spots, we can get them some recos! We take pride in this level of personal service; in being there to make sure every little detail is taken care of so they can relax and enjoy their tour.
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Tour group posing for a picture in front of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Colosseum.
How have teachers responded to seeing you in destination?
Rebekah: Very positively! Sometimes, they’re a bit surprised. They found it fun that we made our way to Rome to meet with them and to hear about how their experiences have been thus far. They saw a friendly face/an EF face as an opportunity to connect. We were given firsthand information on what we were doing well, and sometimes what we could be doing better. All of this was vital to ensuring we continue to improve and keep on top of the little things. It also gives us an opportunity to see our mission of “opening the world through education” in action.
Tell us about a time you saw this service make a difference to a group of travellers.
Rebekah: Very positively! Sometimes, they’re a bit surprised. They found it fun that we made our way to Rome to meet with them and to hear about how their experiences have been thus far. They saw a friendly face/an EF face as an opportunity to connect. We were given firsthand information on what we were doing well, and sometimes what we could be doing better. All of this was vital to ensuring we continue to improve and keep on top of the little things. It also gives us an opportunity to see our mission of “opening the world through education” in action.
At EF Tours we go the extra mile–literally–to ensure every one of our travellers feels supported, inspired and ready to make the most of their journey.
We're here to ensure travel peace of mind and an unforgettable experience. For more, check out our Support page.
