By Sikha Thakur
Agoda, an international digital travel platform has used its technology expertise in India to help people during this latest phase of the pandemic by finding quarantine or alternative stay options.
It has created two distinct new channels, to source COVID-19 quarantine stays for the people, help go through the information and easily find a place to stay.
Agoda, the accommodation partner, has curated a list of hotels in the first channel. The accommodation partners that are providing “hospi-tel” services, isolate Covid-19 positive guests till recovery. Within any of the listed 100+ hotels, located in 23 cities across India can isolate themselves now who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have stable vitals.
Keeping in mind the well-being of the guests, it is equipped with amenities like COVID-19 nursing support, three daily meals, oxygen support and other services throughout their recovery. The price point of the properties have different rangeswhich offers additional services as part of the package price.
In Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines, Agoda’s alternative quarantine product is aligned to its second dedicated platform. It allows members of the public who are COVID negative and also includes public facing frontlines, who wish to live close to their work and protect their families.
In New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, as well as town including Mohali, Raipur, and Nashik having more than 450+ hotels, via Agoda travellers can book their stay into a hotel to quarantine as long as they wish. It includes travellers, travelling between states or self-isolating and Indians returning home. While check-in the guests must provide evidence of COVID-19 negative reports.
Tarik Fadil, Associate Vice President, Partner Services, Indian subcontinent and North Southeast Asia said, “We want to make it as easy as possible for the Indians who are seeking some place to isolate. Making hotel bookings quick and stress-free through our platform and by using our tech to connect our partner hotels with guests, we always want to help whatever best we can do”.
“Over the past few weeks to curate a list of hotels for isolating COVID positive patients our team have worked tirelessly. We believe that the comprehensive list of hotels will help them to find suitable accommodation and also stress free living for Indians,” stated Tarik.
With more properties expected to join the program in the coming months, the digital booking platforms for both quarantine packages and isolation stays are now live.
In 2020 Agoda has introduced pandemic-friendly products for regular travellers like GoLocal Tonight, HygienePlus and EasyCancel, prioritising new traveller preferences in India and across the world.