Global tourist destinations sign up to the WTTC  global safety and hygiene stamp

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has seen major destinations around the world sign up to its recently launched global safety and hygiene stamp. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) also embraced the WTTC 'Safe Travels' stamp, which have the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority.

Two weeks ago, WTTC launched the first of range of new worldwide measures as part of its Safe Travels protocols, providing consistency and guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world.

The protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC members dealing with COVID19 and based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since the launch last week of the Safe Travels stamp, Turkey, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Mauritius, Ontario (Canada), Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the Mexican destinations of Baja California Sur and Yucatan, have now adopted WTTC’s new protocols.

Popular city destinations for holidaymakers which have also been given the WTTC Safe Travels stamp of approval include Barcelona, Cancun, Madrid and Seville.

WTTC, which represents the global Travel and Tourism private sector, designed the special Safe Travels stamp to enable travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which adopted its health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers and holidaymakers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

WTTC President and Chief Executive, Gloria Guevara notes “the number of global destinations adopting our private sector protocols is growing at a rapid pace and it’s hugely gratifying and shows the success and importance of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp.

“The stamp is vital to re-establish worldwide consumer confidence in travel and tourism and so travellers can be sure that enhanced standards of hygiene are in place for them to be able to travel safely.

“As WTTC health and hygiene protocols, affecting hotels, restaurants, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping and transportation are implemented, so the list of destinations recognising the new stamp also continues to grow.

Guevara added “we thank these destination countries and cities for stepping forward to help ensure the speedy recovery of the travel and tourism sector and look forward to welcoming more destinations in the days and weeks ahead as our desire to travel continues to revive.”

Turkish Minister of Culture & Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy advised “Turkey has been a role model for the world during COVID-19 with its well-established health system and treatment methods. We have also pioneered setting the direction for safe tourism with a certification program for normalisation of tourism and we are now glad to see WTTC bringing the efforts to a global level.’’

Bulgarian Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Angelkova  also added “tourism is a cause, it brings a better future for all, and we can solve crises and challenges together. In this regard, we welcome the Safe Travels initiative by WTTC that will ensure a swift recovery of the travel and tourism sector and restore the trust of the travellers. The COVID-19 crisis in our country undoubtedly has shown that only united - the government, the business, and the citizens, with timely held measures can limit the spread of the virus.

“Bulgaria has always been an attractive tourism destination and we will continue to welcome tourists with the same hospitality and warmth."

For full details about 'Safe Travels', please visit wttc.org