What
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a stamp that will allow travelers to identify governments and businesses around the world that have adopted the organization’s health and hygiene standardized protocols.
The stamp features a lime-green circle with the words “Safe travels approved by World Travel & Tourism Council.” Companies eligible to receive the stamp include hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, transportation services, outdoor shopping, and airports. Destinations will help WTTC award the stamp of approval to local suppliers. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has endorsed the stamp, as well.
Why It Matters
Many destinations and travel suppliers have released their individual protocols for reopening, which typically include lengthy guidelines regarding safety and hygiene efforts. With nearly every organization crafting its own set of protocols, it can be challenging to keep track of who is doing what — and even harder to gauge if a given company’s guidelines are enough to protect clients.
Travel advisors have an added challenge: While they can explain what organizations say they’re going to do, it will be difficult to know how well each destination and supplier actually enforces new protocols. The WTTC’s guidelines aim promote much-needed standardization across the travel industry; hopefully the UNWTO-backed Safe Travels stamp will act as a trustworthy source of verification and peace of mind.
Now, travelers will be able to recognize the businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted the new set of global protocols that will encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.
Fast Facts
- So far, WTTC’s global protocols to ensure traveler safety and hygiene have been embraced by more than 200 CEOs, including executives representing some of the world’s major tourism groups.
- The WTTC is currently in the process of putting together short protocol reports for at least nine industries within the travel and tourism sector.
- Reports on airlines, airports, tour operators, convention centers and meetings and events are coming soon.
- According to WTTC, destinations such as Cancun; Barcelona; Seville, Spain; and Portugal have endorsed the use of the stamp.
What They Are Saying
“We are delighted that UNWTO is supporting the private sector global protocols, and our efforts as public-private collaboration is critical to ensure a faster recovery,” said Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC. “We have learned from past crises that global standard protocols and consistency provides confidence for the traveler. Our new global safety stamp is designed to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide. Now, travelers will be able to recognize the businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted the new set of global protocols that will encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world. This will, in turn, help the travel and tourism sector reopen for business and move in a coordinated approach.”
The Details
World Travel & Tourism Council
www.wttc.org