Global health and hygiene stamp launched to boost travel

The World Travel & Tourism Council has launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, which will allow holidaymakers to identify governments and businesses that have adopted global standardized protocols for health and hygiene.

The move has received the backing of the United Nations Word Tourism Organisation.

Portugal, Barcelona (pictured), Cancun, Seville and Saudi Arabia are among the first destinations to adopt the protocols and the stamp of approval.

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 the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.

Destinations will also help to award the stamp of approval to local suppliers.

The launch of global protocols to boost the travel and tourism sector have been embraced by over 200 CEO’s including some of the world’s major tourism groups. 

WTTC president & CEO Gloria Guevara said: "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. 

"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 the rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.

"We are excited that Saudi Arabia, which is chair of the G20 tourism group, as well as popular destinations such as Cancun, one biggest destinations in the world, Portugal, one of the fastest growing countries in Europe and the holiday cities of Barcelona and Seville, amongst others, are among the first destinations to back the stamp and implement global standard protocols to recover faster.

"Now travelers will be able to recognise the businesses and destinations worldwide which 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 and tourism sector to reopen for business and move in a coordinated approach.

"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 and tourism industry."

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "We welcome WTTC’s global safety stamp and Safe Travels protocols and its contribution to restoring confidence. This is key to build trust and we will only succeed if we work together. 

"Public and private sector collaboration are of the essence here and we are happy to be working together with WTTC on the post COVID-19 recovery, and value their contribution to UNWTOs Global Crisis Committee, where we gather other leading private sector bodies, our members and key UN agencies. 
 
"We are united in the common goal of tourism’s come-back to generate benefits going far beyond our sector. Trust and tourism will catalyse consumer demand, investments and jobs, thus generating opportunities for all."

His Excellency, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, said: "As Chair of this year’s G20 Tourism Track, we are putting public-private cooperation at the heart of international efforts for a swift recovery.  The WTTC’s new Safe Travels global protocols are an essential step on that path to recovery, by helping to provide consistency and reassurance for travellers."

WTTC and all its Members from around the world have the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority.

Last week WTTC’s launched the first of range of new worldwide measures that were part of its Safe Travels protocols to rebuild consumer confidence.

They provide guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing.

Detailed discussions took place with numerous key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may expect travelling in the ‘new normal’ before the vaccine is available.

The protocols are also being defined following the experience of WTTC members in dealing with COVID19 and based on the best available medical evidence.

It also follows guidelines from the World Health Organisation  and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US.

WTTC collaborated with international organisations such the International IATA, Airports Council International  and CLIA to ensure alignment across the sector.