Following its launch in May this year, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) highly popular Safe Travels stamp, has now been adopted by 200 destinations around the world.
WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, made history when it launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene mark – the Safe Travels stamp – earlier this year.
It was created in order to restore traveller confidence and revive the global Travel & Tourism sector, which has been left devasted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, as more destinations around the world continue to adopt the Safe Travels stamp, the incredible 200 destination milestone was reached, with Chile, U.S. Virgin Islands, Belize, Dominica, Nicaragua, and Uzbekistan becoming the latest to sign up to the stamp.
Among the other 200 major popular holiday hot spots around the world using the stamp to reassure travellers and restore confidence to travel are Egypt, Turkey, Portugal, Argentina, Tunisia, and Indonesia.
The WTTC Safe Travels stamp reached its first major milestone just a few weeks ago when the Philippines became the 100th destination.
The globally recognised stamp enables travellers to distinguish destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
This pioneering move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the launch of global protocols to recover the Travel & Tourism sector has been embraced by over 200 CEO’s including some of the world’s major tourism groups.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are delighted to see our Safe Travels is proving so successful and is being adopted by destinations from all corners of the globe.
“Reaching this incredible milestone, with 200 destinations around the world now proudly holding our Safe Travels stamp, is testimony to the hard work which has been put in to make the stamp work for both destinations and holidaymakers.
“The stamp shows all 200 of these global destinations are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide – and revive the international Travel & Tourism sector.
“Travellers will be able to recognise the destinations which have adopted the new set of global protocols, encouraging the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.”
Anasha Campbell, Minister of Tourism, Nicaragua said: “Nicaragua promotes a responsible, sustainable, inclusive and accessible tourism for all; having the human being as the center of our policies and strategies. Our priority is the health and well-being of our visitors and our people.
“That is why we are honored to have received the Safe Travels stamp, demonstrating the alignment of our Biosecurity Protocols for the Tourism Sector with the global standards of WTTC, to regain the trust of our visitors and offer them authentic and unforgettable experiences.”
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Belize, said: “Belize is delighted to be recognized through the WTTC’s Safe Travels stamp. Following the devastating effects of the COVID pandemic, my country’s highest priority has been and remains the health and safety of our guests.
Within this context, we have implemented extensive health and safety protocols as part of a Gold Standard Recognition Program for accommodations, tour operators and other industry partners. The WTTC’s Stamp is a milestone achievement for Belize, and is truly a strong testament of Belize’s unwavering commitment to an environment which is safe, secure and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to our visitors!”
The widespread adoption of the stamp demonstrates that WTTC and all its worldwide Members put the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority.
The protocols were designed following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and taking best practices from WTTC’s Members into account.
Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises in the last 20 years, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation and the implementation of standardised protocols.
According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), made a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generated one in four of all new jobs.
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