14 July 2026

The university has appointed a new travel agent for international travel. From 20 July, you will use DGI (Diversity Group International) to book business trips abroad.

Why a new travel agent?

University policy requires international travel to be booked through the university’s travel agent rather than directly with an airline. As our current contract with UniGlobe coming to an end, we launched a new tender process and selected DGI as our new travel agent.  

DGI provides an online platform and a full-service team (offline) to help you book flights, train tickets and hotel accommodation. They offer 24/7 support, provide travel insights (such as kilometres travelled, booking types and destinations, bookings that do not comply with policy, CO₂ emissions…) and support the university’s duty of care responsibilities in situations such as emergencies.

What does this mean for our international travel policy?

Our policy remains unchanged: you will continue to book international flights through the university’s travel agent (from 20 July, DGI) rather than directly with an airline. The policy also includes the following:

• For journeys of up to 500 km or with a total travel time of up to six hours, travel by train (second class) rather than by plane.   
• Book direct flights wherever possible instead of flights with transfers.  
• An internal carbon levy is charged for each trip and paid periodically to the university. The proceeds are earmarked for sustainability initiatives. The university is currently exploring how these funds can best be used to make Leiden more environmentally sustainable. 
• The policy on working abroad (global mobility) applies to staff spending more than a month abroad.   
• If you are travelling to a high-risk area with an orange or red travel advisory, you must obtain prior approval from the university.   
• Travel and accommodation expenses may be reimbursed, provided they comply with the applicable rates and regulations for business travel.

Working with DGI will help ensure compliance with our travel policy. You will, for example, no longer be able to book trips online to high-risk areas with an orange or red travel advisory, and you will receive a warning if you book a flight for a journey of less than 500 km or with a total travel time of under six hours.    

How to book a trip

From 20 July, log in to BAS InSite and go to Procurement > Procurement Portal > Foreign Work Trips.

Have you already booked a trip with UniGlobe for travel after 20 July?

UniGlobe will remain your point of contact for trips booked through them that are scheduled to take place after 20 July. You will also continue to be able to view your bookings in the UniGlobe system. If you have any questions or need to change or cancel a trip, please contact UniGlobe. Tel.: (088 202 30 80) or mail to ultravel@uniglobeat.nl.