What
Los Cabos has become the first destination to achieve “Verified” status from Sharecare Health Security Verified with Forbes Travel Guide, a digital platform launched in September that established a unified set of health and safety protocols to be applied as the “gold standard” across the travel industry.
The area, which encompasses Cabos San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo along a 20-mile corridor in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, earned the designation through a partnership between the Los Cabos Tourism Board, Sharecare (a digital health platform) and Forbes Travel Guide. The tourism board’s support of Sharecare’s system of protocols led to the majority of hotels and resorts within the region to earn their own Verified distinctions.
Why It Matters
A globalized industry baseline on health and safety has long been needed in the travel industry, and Sharecare’s system is a great step toward revamping and promoting safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through this partnership, the Los Cabos Tourism Board is bridging the gap between supporting economic revitalization while simultaneously showing a commitment to the health and safety of tourists and residents.
Other tourism boards should follow suit in pushing their area’s hotels and resorts to adopt this standardized set of protocols, as it will be key to rebuilding travelers’ confidence in the travel and tourism landscape. Additionally, travel advisors, consortia and host agencies would do well to promote Verified properties across their own channels.
By taking this region-wide approach to health security verification, Los Cabos is building the confidence and assurance travelers need — as well as the workforce and communities who rely on these industries — to enjoy the benefits of travel while minding their well-being.
Fast Facts
- In Los Cabos, tourism comprises 80% of the local economy, and 90% of residents rely on the tourism industry in some form.
- As part of Sharecare Health Security Verified, hotels self-report their protocols across more than 360 checkpoints regarding health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedure, ventilation, physical distancing and more.
- The accommodations that earn the Sharecare distinction can display a badge to guests and hotel employees that signals compliance with health and safety best practices.
- As of press time, more than 500 properties in 50 countries have achieved such verification.
- Internova Travel Group recognizes the region’s distinction through its Select Hotels & Resort Program, through which it adopted the platform for the 50,000 hotels booked through its system.
- Travel advisors can search for Verified hotels and resorts in Los Cabos by visiting forbestravelguide.com/verified.
What They Are Saying
“We are proud of the work done by all the hotels in Los Cabos to achieve the Sharecare verification,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism Board. “As Mexico’s top luxury destination, we are committed to providing a safe travel environment. In addition to our own health and safety program, Los Cabos With Care, A Safer Way to Get Away, this Verified badge will be influential in elevating Los Cabos’ perception and providing confidence to international travelers looking for a safe and secure place to visit.”
“By taking this region-wide approach to health security verification, Los Cabos is building the confidence and assurance travelers need — as well as the workforce and communities who rely on these industries — to enjoy the benefits of travel while minding their well-being,” said Hermann Elger, executive vice president and general manager of travel, entertainment and health security at Sharecare. “On behalf of Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide, we commend the Los Cabos Tourism Board for its leadership in not only prioritizing the health and safety of those who live, work and play within the region, but also promoting the livelihood of the Los Cabos tourism industry.”
The Details
Los Cabos Tourism Board
www.visitloscabos.travel
Sharecare Health Security Verified with Forbes Travel Guide
www.forbestravelguide.com
