The World Travel & Tourism Council has urged governments to adopt four widely-used digital Covid vaccination certificates to accelerate the reopening of borders and “restore international mobility”.
The WTTC recommends all governments recognise the most prevalent apps to aid a consistent approach while a common global solution is developed.
Its recommendations come in a new report which it says follows comprehensive analysis and research and provides “clear recommendations to governments”.
The four vaccination certificates identified are the EU Digital COVID Certificate, ICAO Visible Digital Seal, DIVOC and SMART Health Cards.
The WTTC said the report, titled Digital Solutions for Reviving International Travel, “addresses the current global challenge posed by the existing patchwork of policies and processes, which are not only complex and unsustainable, but also further hinder the recovery of an already struggling sector”.
It urges governments to each create a ‘Digital Travel Portal’ which would allow visitors to input their vaccination or test certificates ahead of travel.
Julia Simpson, WTTC chief executive, said: “WTTC has been calling on governments to implement a globally coordinated response since the beginning of the pandemic. Today’s report offers the key to harmonise and safely reopen international travel.
“It is governments’ responsibility to ensure there is a safe, secure, simple and digital system in place to restore international mobility. WTTC is recommending a single global portal that recognises the main digital passes currently in use worldwide and acts as a one stop shop for travellers and governments.”
She added: “We can use the pandemic to leapfrog technologies and allow contactless travel with embedded data on vaccination and testing status”.
The WTTC said the report drew on guidance from bodies including the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development, along with commitments made by governments at the G7 and G20 summits.
The full report can be viewed here.