Removal of quarantine sees Ecuador get the renowned stamp Guam, the U.S. island territory in Micronesia also signs up
London, UK: Croatia, Ecuador and Ghana are the latest
in a long line of major destinations to use the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the World
Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The extensive endorsements have come from many major holiday
destinations around the world, with other holiday hot spots such as Turkey,
Portugal, Kenya, and Mauritius, joining among many others.
Ecuador received its WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, following a
major government announcement which will see international travellers arriving
with a negative test taken within the previous 10 days, exempt from its 14-day
isolation. This move will help reopen its Travel & Tourism sector and
provide a significant boost to the country’s economy.
WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private
sector, created the Safe Travels Stamp in May this year, to allow travellers to
identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the
global standardised health and hygiene protocols.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
welcomed the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, which place the safety and hygiene of
travellers as top priority.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Our
Safe Travels Stamp continues to go from strength to strength and we are
delighted to see even more popular countries and destinations from all corners
of the world adopt our global health and hygiene protocols.
“The stamp also recognises the introduction of new
measures by governments around the world which positively impact the Travel
& Tourism sector, and to that end, we applaud the government of Ecuador for
implementing new measures at Quito airport.
“The continued success of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp
demonstrates its importance not only to countries, destinations and businesses
around the world, but crucially travellers, and the millions of people around
the world who work in and depend on, a thriving Travel & Tourism
sector.
“The stamp is critical to re-establish consumer
confidence in our sector and ensure travellers can rest assured that enhanced
standards of hygiene are in place and they can once again experience ‘Safe
Travels’.”
Ms. Nikolina Brnjac, Croatia Minister of Tourism and Sports,
said: “Croatia is very proud to work with WTTC during these difficult
times. As a popular European and Adriatic destination, we are doing our best to
face all difficulties and to secure stability and safety for the local
population and for all the travellers who have decided to visit us this year,
despite the current circumstances.
“To make the new normal possible, we have gone to great
lengths to prepare the necessary safety-protocols and measures.
“We sincerely believe that aligning with the WTTC global
protocols will be the next important step in securing and stabilising not only
the current season but will also represent another important next step for the
sustainable and smart future development of this very important economic
sector.”
Rosi Prado de Holguín, Ecuador Minister of Tourism
said: “The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp shows that Ecuador has made
responsible and technical decisions to encourage travel, guaranteeing
everyone’s health and well-being.
“I invite everyone to visit us and enjoy our Four Worlds,
Andes, Amazon, Coast and the Galapagos Islands. Rest assured that in these and
all other spots, we are looking after your well-being and minimising risks of
transmission.”
Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Ghana Minister of Tourism, Arts
and Culture said: “We are delighted with this milestone of a Safe
Travels Stamp for Ghana. Since 21 March 21, 2020 when our borders were closed,
we have worked on creating a safe environment for our Tourism and Travel
practitioners. The protocols we have put in place are borne out of a shared
responsibility to create a hygienic and safe destination.
“With the gradual easing of restrictions, we believe
these measures will boost confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector. We
congratulate the WTTC for instituting these Safe Travels protocols which is a
welcome addition to the tourism industry.”
Since the launch of the WTTC Safe
Travels Stamp, destination countries and cities, around the world have now
adopted WTTC’s new protocols, including holiday heavyweights such as Tunisia,
Indonesia, Egypt, and Dubai.
As part of its Safe Travels
protocols, these worldwide measures provide consistency and guidance to
travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep
cleansing and physical distancing, in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world.
The protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC
members dealing with COVID19 and based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and
the Centre for Disease Control and prevention (CDC).
According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic ImpactReport, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10
jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and
generating one in four of all new jobs.
For full details about “Safe Travels”, please visit
wttc.org/safetravels
Editor’s Notes:
WTTC has created nine overarching principles &
objectives for the Travel & Tourism Sector in the post-lockdown and
recovery stage:
1. Have the sector lead the definition of industry
regulation as Travel & Tourism moves from crisis
management to recovery
2. Put the safety, health and security of travellers and the
Travel & Tourism workforce at the core of the development of global
standards
3. Ensure coherence in the approach and development of new
global standards through a coordinated, collaborative, and transparent approach
within the Travel & Tourism sector
4. Share harmonised and consistent standards and guidelines
across destinations and countries.
5. Collaborate with key actors across the Travel &
Tourism supply and value chain to ensure readiness to restart operations
6. Ensure standards and guidelines implemented are aligned
with governmental and public health
requirements and supported by medical evidence.
7. Rebuild trust and confidence with travellers through
effective communication & marketing; letting them know the protocols and
guidelines implemented and assurances available to keep them safe.
8. Relax and lift travel restrictions once the public health
threat has been contained.
9. Advocate for the implementation of enabling policies from
financial relief to visa facilitation and incentives to destination promotion
to support the recovery and demand re-generation for the sector.
For enquiries, please contact:
WTTC
Email: Press.office@wttc.org
WTTC Headquarters
The Harlequin Building
65 Southwark Street
London SE1 0HR
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 207 481 8007
Email: enquiries@wttc.org
Website: https://wttc.org/
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