Trip.com Group to oversee WTTC initiative to help revive tourism sector

Leading international online travel services provider, Trip.com Group, today announced its role in overseeing the implementation of an industry initiative led by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to help revive the sector.

Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry, the "Safe Travels" protocol, aims to rebuild confidence among consumers by bringing together industry leaders and partners to implement the best available guidelines on health and safety.

The standards, based on advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities, will enable the industry to standardise practices across the board, and give consumers the necessary assurance to travel safely and at ease when it becomes practical to do so.

WTTC Vice chair and Trip.com Group Chief Executive, Jane Sun advises "for us and our partners, the safety of travellers is always our top priority. At this defining moment for the travel industry, we welcome this important initiative from WTTC, bringing together partners in the sector to give travellers the assurance they need.”

Implementation of today's standards is the latest move in a series of initiatives by Trip.com Group to deliver assurance and safety to users, and support to partners. Throughout the pandemic, the company led an industry initiative which provided refunds and flexibility for affected travellers through its Safeguard Cancellation Guarantee. In addition to facilitating generous cancellation provisions, Trip.com Group has allocated significant funds to supporting its partners in industry revival efforts, and developed various tools to help inform safe travel decisions for customers, such as the COVID-19 International Traveller's Guide, which provides timely updates on restrictions, outbreaks, cancellation policies, and other relevant information to prospective travellers.

Image: WTTC Vice Chair and Trip.com Group Chief Executive, Jane Sun speaks at WTTC event.