LONDON — With a growing number of destinations preparing to welcome back tourists, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp.
The specially designed stamp, which is backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will allow travellers to instantly recognize governments and businesses that have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols.
Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports will be able to use the stamp once WTTC-approved health and hygiene protocols have been implemented. Destinations will also help to award the stamp of approval to local suppliers.
“We are delighted that UNWTO are supporting the private sector global protocols and our efforts as public-private collaboration is critical to ensure a faster recovery,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO. “We have learned from past crises that global standard protocols and consistency provides confidence for the traveller. Our new global safety stamp is designed to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.”
Cancun, Portugal, Barcelona, Seville and Saudi Arabia are among the first destinations to back the stamp and implement global standard protocols.
The stamp comes one the heels of WTTC’s new worldwide measures that were launched last week as part of its Safe Travels protocols. Following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they provide consistency to destinations and countries, as well as guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to healthy, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing in the post-COVID-19 world.
“Now travellers 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. It will, in turn, help the Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business and move in a coordinated approach,” added Guevara.
“For the first time ever, the global private sector has rallied around Safe Travels protocols, which will create consistency across the sector. Implementation by governments around the world will restore much-needed confidence in order to restart the Travel &Tourism industry.”
