Sherpa launches maps that track COVID-related travel policies

Sherpa, a Toronto-based technology company that aggregates travel identification requirements for airlines and other travel brands and one of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Startups for 2019, has created an interactive global map to help consumers understand COVID-related restrictions and requirements.

Travel companies such as airlines, cruise lines and online travel agencies can integrate the Travel Reopening Map into their websites and apps using an API, embeddable widgets or a white-label web app. It’s also available directly to consumers via the Sherpa website.

The map is color-coded to identify destinations that are open to visitors. Users can hover over a country for a summary of guidelines of COVID-19 test requirements, quarantine protocols and entry restrictions. They can also search by country name or airport code, with personalization based on point of origin and date of travel. 

The platform also provides a database of COVID-19 test sites.

“International travel is an important part of our global economy and human experience; yet, planning travel in a global pandemic is a challenge,” says Max Tremaine, Sherpa CEO.

“Our team’s mission was to deliver a digital solution that closes the information gap with the real-time accuracy travelers need to make informed decisions and travel confidently. This solution is just one part of our larger vision to ease border crossing complexity by making it possible for travelers to obtain requirements, documentation and visas in a single step while they book their travel.”

Sherpa aggregates data from thousands of sources including governments, airlines, airports, tourism boards and public forums, with updates made hourly as needed.

The map can be made available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, French (Canadian), Portuguese, Russian, Turkish and Latvian, with more languages to be added soon.