The adventure travel specialist said customers could now change their travel dates or book a different trip within this period, and they will only be required to pay deposits up to 21 days before departure.

Under the new policy, clients can also reserve a trip without payment for up to five days.

Chief commercial officer Brett Mitchell said in a message to agents: “We want to ensure your clients can book confidently and change, move or cancel their travels with no fuss.”

Intrepid has also announced a range of “enhanced” safety procedures, using new protocols developed and endorsed by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Measures will include increased sanitation, contactless technology solutions, physical distancing across accommodation, transport and restaurants, as well as pre-trip and on-trip health screenings.

Intrepid added that it would not require travellers to provide a negative Covid-19 test before joining a trip unless it was a requirement of the country being visited.

The operator also plans to launch a “customer confidence toolkit” which agents can use to answer questions from clients on subjects such as rebooking, converting credit, new bookings and revised health and safety protocols.