Pavilion Tours has always attached the utmost importance to all possible aspects of safety on our tours.

The Safety Management System
We believe that our commitment to the safety of our clients is second to none. Schools booking a tour with Pavilion will benefit from the Pavilion Safety Management System. This Safety Management System is inspected by qualified, independent safety consultants and conforms to latest DCSF guidelines.

The Safety Management System covers the following aspects of your tour:

Accommodation

Coach Operators

Pre-Tour Information

Itinerary Risk Assessment

Inspection Visits

Outdoor and Adventure Activities (overseas)

24 hour Emergency Procedures

Serious Incidents

Pavilion's parent company STG is an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum.
All Assured Members of the STF adhere to a rigorous Code of Practice and Safety Management Standards, which meet the requirements of DCSF guidelines and are externally verified each year by suitably qualified independent Health and Safety professionals.

A copy of our Safety Management System document including our Safety Policy Statement can be
downloaded by clicking here.

Risk Assessment
Pavilion has a database of risk assessments for each of its sports venues and accommodations. Please contact us for further details. We also actively encourage Party Leaders to preview their chosen resort where they can assess the practical and safety issues of leading a group there. Call us for details of forthcoming inspection visits.

Just as we actively encourage Party Leaders to preview their chosen resort to assess the practical and safety issues of leading a group there, we also recommend that the tour participants themselves are given an opportunity to practice their chosen activities in advance.

We recommended that at least one adult leader has appropriate and current mountain leader and first aid certification. A lifesaver qualification is also advisable for groups that will be making use of swimming pool facilities in resort. Relevant links can be found on our Resources page.

Travel Insurance
As medical support is sometimes provided by private doctors, clinics or hospitals, it is essential that you also carry Travel Insurance. An EHIC alone may be insufficient to cover all medical expenses. Full details of Pavilion's Group Travel Insurance Policy can be viewed by clicking here.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has replaced the form E111.

You can apply for your EHIC on line, by telephone or at your local post office. Full details on how to apply can be found on the Department of Health web site by clicking here.

Please note it is our experience that not all countries, clinics and hospitals accept an EHIC under every medical situation. We do recommend that Party Leaders also carry sufficient funds to cover any additional costs that may be incurred and claim a refund through insurance upon their return to the UK. In such instances all receipts should be kept (e.g. taxi to/from hospital) to assist with the insurance claim.

Vaccinations
We recommend that tour participants consult their own GP for latest advice on inoculation requirements. Pavilion Tours will require that tour participants with special medical or dietary conditions be declared on the appropriate final documentation.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
For insurance purposes, any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect the terms of the policy should be notified to the Insurance Company before booking as a supplement may be payable or certain parts of the policy may not apply.
If you are in any doubt, please call Travellers Health Check on 08456 582 999.

Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT may be associated with any form of long distance travel whether by air, car, coach or train. In particular long-haul air travel (flights lasting longer than five hours) where passengers remain immobile in the seated position for long periods of time, may be associated with an increased risk.

Further advice regarding travel-related DVT in air passengers, who may be at risk and how to reduce the potential risk, can be viewed on-line by clicking here.

Alcohol, Smoking, Drugs and Misconduct
Pavilion Tours has a strict policy regarding use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs by tour members.

Alcohol & Smoking
Where local minimum age limits differ to the UK, we still regard our groups as representatives of the UK and therefore UK rules regarding alcohol consumption and smoking will be applied. No individual under the age of 18 years of age should consume alcoholic drinks or smoke unless express written permission from a parent or guardian can be produced. No party member, whether of age or under age, should consume alcohol to excess, or smoke in accommodation bedrooms (or at all in apartments and tents) as this presents a serious health, safety and fire risk.

Under no circumstances will alcohol consumption and smoking be permitted on tour transport.

Drugs
Use or abuse of drugs and banned substances, or possession of the same, is forbidden under all circumstances. It is Pavilion Tours policy to direct such cases to the local police force.

Personal Conduct
All tour participants should act in a responsible fashion during their tour and should not behave in a way likely to cause damage to property or damage or offence to other people. Any damage will be charged directly to those responsible for the group and Pavilion Tours will be unable to assist with the funding of such payments.

Termination of the Tour
Pavilion Tours reserves the right at all times to terminate the tour if the behavior of any party member is considered by the company, or by any other person in authority, likely to cause offence, distress, danger, damage or annoyance to other clients, company employees any third party or damage to property. In the event of such a termination our responsibility for the tour will cease, we will have no further contractual obligations to your party including return travel and we will be under no liability to make refunds or meet any costs or expenses by the group as a result. Any damage will be charged directly to those responsible for the group and Pavilion Tours will be unable to assist with the funding of such payments.

Conduct on Board your Coach
To ensure your group's safety when travelling by coach, we kindly request that all tour participants

Remain seated when the coach is mobile

Use the seatbelts provided

Make note of emergency exits and glass-breaking tools

Avoid carrying glass bottles on board

Avoid opening emergency exits or pressing alarm buttons except in emergencies

Avoid distracting the driver(s) by talking unnecessarily while the coach is in motion

Are aware of the direction of oncoming traffic when boarding or alighting the tour coach

Remain seated in the event of breakdown and follow their driver's instructions

Understand that onboard toilet facilities are for emergency use only (comfort stops will be made)

Will be liable for any reported damage to the tour coach while on tour

Help maintain a clean and healthy standard on board their tour coach at all times

Understand that Pavilion Tours cannot accept responsibility for personal items left on board

Pavilion Tours operates a strict NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policy for all passengers

Conduct when Flying
We would remind all tour participants travelling on air tour programmes that they should co-operate with Airline staff at all times. Under no circumstances should personal or group safety be deliberately put at risk.

Please note when packing that the following items are prohibited on board your flight: Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal) / Household cutlery / Knives with blades of any length (including steel nail files) / Paper knives / Razor blades / Tradesman's tools / Darts / Scissors of any size / Knitting needles / Sporting bats (including rackets, cricket bats and golf clubs) / Billiard, snooker or pool cues / Catapults / Corkscrews with blades attached / Hypodermic needles. All such items should be packed in your main luggage and checked in prior to departure. Passengers who require the use of hypodermic needles for medical reasons (eg. Diabetes and Allergies) will be asked for written proof, such as a doctor's letter.