Peru, Bahamas and Puerto Rico are the latest destinations to adopt the world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its Safe Travels stamp earlier this year to help to restore confidence in travellers and revive the travel and tourism sector.
More than 120 destinations are now using the stamp, which was taken up by 100 destinations within three months of launch, including the Gambia, Zambia, and El Salvador. The stamp allows travellers to recognise destinations which have adopted standardised global health and hygiene protocols.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “Our Safe Travels stamp continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted with its success so far.
“As the stamp continues to grow in popularity, travellers will more easily be able to recognise the destinations worldwide which have adopted these important global protocols, encouraging the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.”
Carla Campos, Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s executive director said: “Puerto Rico was one of the first destinations in the Western Hemisphere to design and implement an industry-specific safety and health program for the entire destination with the creation of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Gold Star Health and Safety Seal Certification back on May 4.
“We are proud to join WTTC’s Safe Travels global protocols and stamp program.”
The protocols follow guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation and the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention and best practices from WTTC members.
WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises in the last 20 years, highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation and the implementation of standardised protocols.
According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, travel and tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), and made a 10.3% contribution to global GDP, generating one in four of all new jobs.
Meanwhile, Dominica has launched its own Safe in Nature programme to provide a safe experience to visitors from major tourism markets to the island during the Covid-19 pandemic. It includes limiting the number of people in swimming pools, sanitising transfer vehicles, and checking holidaymakers’ temperatures.
This represents a collaborative effort between the ministry of tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives, Discover Dominica Authority, Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association and other tourism stakeholders, in a bid to revive the tourism industry.