Portugal’s national tourism authority Turismo de Portugal has created a hygiene-certification stamp to identify ‘Clean & Safe’ tourism businesses.
Turismo de Portugal said tourism enterprises, attractions and travel agencies can now request certification as ‘Clean & Safe’ establishments.
The stamp will signify businesses have complied with hygiene and cleaning requirements for the prevention and control of Covid-19.
It is aimed at aiding the sector’s recovery from the coronavirus by reinforcing visitors’ confidence in their safety.
The scheme is free and the certificate valid for a year. It requires implementation of a protocol that, according to Portugal’s Directorate-General for Health (DGS), ensures approved hygiene measures are in place to avoid risks of contagion.
The ‘Clean & Safe’ stamp was launched on April 24 and can be obtained online from Turismo de Portugal: RNET (National Register of Tourist Enterprises), RNAAT (National Register of Tourist Entertainment Agents) and RNAVT (National Register of Travel and Tourism Agents), with certificates linked to the entity’s registration number on the respective register.
Companies must submit a declaration of commitment and Turismo de Portugal, in coordination with the registers, will carry out random audits.
The authority said the scheme is intended to publicise the minimum hygiene requirements and cleaning measures required to ensure safety and to promote Portugal as a safe destination.
The scheme would be expanded to other areas of activity, Turismo de Portugal said.