Major destinations adopt WTTC hygiene stamp

A host of major tourism destinations have signed up to use the World Travel & Tourism Council’s safety and hygiene stamp – the first mark of its kind to be used globally.

Among the countries to have adopted the Safe Travels stamp are Portugal, Bulgaria, Turkey, Jamaica and Mauritius with city hotspots including Barcelona, Cancun and Madrid also using it.

WTTC first launched its Safe Travels protocols a fortnight ago, issuing “consistency and guidance” to travel firms and tourism groups around health, hygiene, deep cleansing and social distancing.

The measures were devised based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “The number of global destinations adopting our private sector protocols is growing at a rapid pace. 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.

“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.”