As the world slowly starts opening up again, so is travel and tourism, and so #SafeTravels will be high on everyone’s minds. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) have been working together with various groups, from governments, to health experts and industry associations, to provide protocols and action plans for the travel and tourism industry to open up and for the tourists out there to know that #SafeTravels is an option now.
Opening up travel and tourism
The travel and tourism industry supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes to sustainable economic growth around the world. This includes many of our rafters around the world. They have been deeply affected by the closures as many of their livelihoods have been stopped completely, not only the rafting but through accommodation and other tourism options they offered.
It is therefore paramount that travel and tourism starts opening up widely and as soon as possible, but it is also essential for all travellers to feel and be safe. WTTC’s protocols provide the public and private sectors of the industry with insights and tool kits they can use towards making those travellers feel safe, and give them the confidence right from the beginning to make these trips.
Global protocols for #SafeTravels and tourism
For the Travel and Tourism sector to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, travellers will need to feel assured of the safety of travel. WTTC feels it is important that travellers are clearly and simply advised of the new protocols implemented within their travel experience to ensure their safety.
For the purpose of alignment across industries within the Travel & Tourism sector, WTTC has divided the protocols in four pillars, namely:
- Promoting Operational & Staff Preparedness
- Delivering a Safe Experience
- Rebuilding Trust & Confidence
- Implementing Enabling Policies
WTTC have published protocols for the following industries so far with more to come: Hospitality, Outdoor Retail, Aviation, Airports, Cruise, Tour Operators, Convention Centres and Meetings and Events, Attractions, Short Term Rentals, Car Rentals, Insurance, and Adventure Tourism.
The latter, Adventure Tourism, is the most common activity many of our rafters are involved in, and the IRF set out its own Guidelines for a Safe Re-entry Into Rafting to assist with that. But many are also involved as general Tour Operators, or in the Hospitality and Short Term Rentals industry, as well as Outdoor Retail. And many are affected by Aviation and Airports. So there are many protocols here that are worth a good read.
The protocols align the private sector behind common standards to ensure the safety of its workforce and travellers as the sector shifts to a new normal.
Please note that all the protocols are living documents as knowledge and requirements around COVID-19 are continually changing.
WTTC’s Global Safety Stamp to Recognise Safe Travels Protocols
The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.
If you would like to know how to apply, click here.
Keep safe, get out, and enjoy
Travelling is enjoyed by so many, and with months of lockdowns and life being so strange, travel is a great way to start feeling normal again. So get out there, stay safe, and enjoy.
#AreYouReady #RaftersAreAwesome #StrongerTogether #WeAreIRF
