WTTC: Travelers should wear masks show they care in the new normal

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
WTTC: Travelers should wear masks show they care in the new normalMandatory mask-wearing will protect travellers and workers as people need to learn to live with COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely available

London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon all travellers to don protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling.

As countries transition from lockdowns to reopening their borders, the wearing of face masks helps signal the return of safer travels, while also providing personal protection for users as well as those around them.

The advice from WTTC in favour of mandatory mask-wearing comes from evidence that countries which are recovering faster and avoid second COVID-19 spikes are those where the use of face masks have been widely enforced and encouraged.  

Following medical guidance from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, WTTC advises the wearing of masks on all forms of transport throughout the entire traveller journey, as well as when visiting any interior venue or those with restricted movement which results in close personal contact of two metres or less.

WTTC has asked governments around the globe to enforce the wearing of face masks, as well as enlisting the support of the private sector to remind customers of their obligations to protect their health and that of fellow travellers.

Travellers around the world are being encouraged to join in the WTTC social media campaign which is launching with the hashtag #wear2care. 

Embracing the use of face masks will reduce the risk of transmission, protect the user and those around them, as well as reintroducing a sense of normality. as we learn to live with the virus until a vaccine is found. 

The new recommendations follow in the wake of WTTC recently issuing its new guidelines for Safe & Seamless Travel including testing and tracing to ensure people can enjoy Safe Travels in the ‘new normal’.

Frequent handwashing and using hand sanitiser complement the use of face masks which can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The safety and hygiene of travellers and those who work in Travel & Tourism is of paramount importance, which is why we now strongly recommend masks being mandatory. 

“‘Wear to care’ promotes the protection of face mask users and visibly shows they care about the welfare and safety of their fellow travellers, which will help save lives and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

“The wearing of masks should not be politicised. Wearing a mask needs to become part of everyday life to ensure everyone enjoys travelling in safety until a vaccine for COVID-19 is found. We implore the private sector and global governments to encourage their use so wearing a mask becomes the new normal.”

Ramon Sánchez, Principal Investigator and Research Associate at Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said: “Wearing face masks has been proven to provide the highest level of protection against transmission at 82%. Constant hand hygiene and surface cleaning, which kills more than 90% of viruses that are found on surfaces, also prevents the virus from reaching the face from the hands. 

“The public should keep a two-metre distance whenever they can, however, if that simply isn’t possible, people should increase the ventilation around them. Inside buildings, this can be done by opening doors and windows which decreases the viral concentration by more than 70%. 

“Mechanical ventilation, such as air conditioning decreases it by 80% while going outdoors proves more effective by decreasing the viral concentration between 90% and 95%.”

WTTC has led a series of initiatives designed to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

Safe Travels Protocols were developed for the global Travel & Tourism sector which focused on measures to drive business to car hire companies, airports, tour operators, attractions and short short-term rentals among many other travel sectors, to enable them to follow strict health and hygiene regimes when re-opening their businesses.

The welfare of travellers and the millions of people working across the Travel & Tourism sector is central to the protocols. In addition to being backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) they were also widely embraced by thousands of businesses around the world.

Travellers around the world can get involved with the WTTC campaign by sharing pictures of themselves proudly travelling with their masks and sharing the hashtag #wear2care.

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinationsGreek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Photo Source: pixabay.com

Tornos
  1. 17/07 23:24

    The 10th Amari Green Festival begins: 10 years of culture, nature and community in the heart of Crete

  2. 17/07 23:04

    ETC: Greece scans in attracting new visitors from Europe

  3. 17/07 21:55

    HCAA | Inspection for upgrade projects at Milos Airport – Defibrillator Donation by an Employee

  4. 17/07 20:21

    Greek -Italy Tourism Cooperation Protocol

  5. 17/07 15:11

    Municipality of Athens: Crackdown on Illegal Outdoor Seating in Kolonaki

  6. 17/07 14:55

    IATA | The EU's targets for the use of sustainable fuels are "impossible to achieve"

  7. 17/07 14:47

    HAA and HAPCO & DES welcome the concession of Tae Kwon Do to the Region

  8. 17/07 14:19

    Ongoing Coastal Cleanup Operations in Kalamaria

  9. 17/07 14:17

    SETKE | Suspension of JMD on Swimming Pools – Discontent over Lack of Consultation

  10. 17/07 14:13

    Britain: Inflation Rises to 3.6% – Cost of Living and Criticism Grow

  11. 17/07 13:52

    Increase in arrivals and overnight stays in tourist accommodations in May 2025

  12. 17/07 13:24

    Cinema and Food Culture: From France to Lesvos

  13. 17/07 11:44

    Sitia: The double opportunity for tourist take-off with the signature of UNESCO

  14. 17/07 11:39

    Alternative Tourism in Greece Presented to the UK Market

  15. 17/07 11:12

    Tryp by Wyndham Lisboa Caparica Mar: Renovation with inspiration from the coast

  16. 17/07 10:47

    National Geographic in Santorini: New Documentary on the Island’s Volcano, History and Mysteries

  17. 17/07 08:03

    Zig Zag Festival in Tzoumerka: A Cultural Passage from Earth to Sky

  18. 17/07 08:00

    Aegean Takes Off for India – Direct Flights Begin in 2026 with New Airbus XLR

  19. 17/07 07:58

    New Chapter for Tourist Ports in Heraklion and Paros

  20. 17/07 07:53

    Enhanced Accessibility at Mitsis Hotels in Rhodes, Kos, and Crete

  21. 17/07 07:51

    South Rethymno: A steady summer attraction with 4,000 visitors per day in Plakias

  22. 17/07 07:49

    SKY Express: New winter connection Heraklion – Tirana

  23. 17/07 07:18

    Sardine Festival at Stomio Larissa

  24. 17/07 07:16

    The Usual — and Unusual — Vacation Habits of Swedes

  25. 17/07 07:08

    Air Mediterranean: New connections to Berlin, Cologne and Vienna from Athens

  26. 17/07 07:06

    INTERPLAZA's major investment in Rhodes is up for consultation | Hotel with 394 rooms, 158 residences

  27. 17/07 00:29

    Friday Marks Peak Day for UK Flight Departures – Strong Demand for Greece and Other Summer Destinations

  28. 16/07 19:52

    Eurobank: The Greek tourism model is changing - Less revenue per visitor, more arrivals

  29. 16/07 17:15

    More students at the Galaxidi School of Tourism Education | Sustainability step

  30. 16/07 16:45

    6 signs to upgrade home security

  31. 16/07 16:41

    Fedhatta/ HATTA: Meeting with Secretary General of EOT for exhibition planning and reinforcement of international markets

  32. 16/07 15:33

    French Transavia invests in Thessaloniki during the winter season

  33. 16/07 15:28

    Norovirus on board: New case on cruise ship, cases on the rise in 2025

  34. 16/07 15:22

    Ryanair | Fire on new strikes by French air traffic controllers and Ursula von “Derlayed-Again”

  35. 16/07 14:43

    3,000 inspections of recreational vehicle rentals by the Coast Guard

  36. 16/07 14:38

    Pella and its gastronomy on Kitchen TV

  37. 16/07 14:02

    How New Cruise Demographics Are Redefining the Impact on Destinations

  38. 16/07 11:45

    Kivotos Santorini has joined the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program

  39. 16/07 10:51

    Sani/Ikos Group offers free holidays to children from "The Smile of the Child"

  40. 16/07 10:48

    Serifos: Water Consumption Alarm – Strict Fines for Waste

  41. 16/07 10:25

    DW | Greece: Plane trees are dying standing up

  42. 16/07 08:04

    Etihad – SKY express agreement: Gateway to 24 Greek islands and 3 Mediterranean cities

  43. 16/07 08:02

    Decisions for tourist shelters in Leros, Chalkidiki, Xiromero and Agia Anna

  44. 16/07 07:59

    The major airlines that... disappoint – The three worst for 2025

  45. 16/07 07:56

    Mr. Zara’s hotel business

  46. 16/07 07:53

    Symi cries out for mass tourism – 3 euro fee for day visitors

  47. 16/07 07:17

    Permit for two floating platforms in Corfu and Skopelos

  48. 16/07 07:15

    Explosive increase in visitor numbers at the museums of Ancient Olympia and Delphi in March

  49. 16/07 07:13

    Expedia: Which Mykonos? Which Santorini? This is the new favorite Greek island

  50. 16/07 07:10

    Municipality of Limni Plastira: Decision for 6 + 3 years lease of the Mesenikola Guesthouse

  51. 16/07 07:07

    Luxury hotel for climbers is being prepared in Rhodes

  52. 16/07 06:22

    M. Tsakalakis in TN | Tourist Crete seeks protection of its reputation - Concern over bookings

  53. 16/07 06:19

    Municipality of Soufli: Network of hiking trails with fire protection function

  54. 15/07 20:08

    Velvento Festival 2025: Cultural rendezvous in the nature of Kozani

  55. 15/07 16:06

    Tourism Investments | YOTELPAD Athens is Coming with 113 Apartments in Omonia, Monastiraki, and Neo Kosmos

  56. 15/07 15:16

    HCAA | + 7.5% passenger traffic at 24 state airports in 6 months, +5.2% overall

  57. 15/07 15:11

    Green light for 2 strategic investments, amounting to 163 million euros, in tourism

  58. 15/07 12:39

    Germany | Flights more expensive in the first half of 2025, especially within Europe

  59. 15/07 12:32

    2,300 young artists painted Hospitality | HCC Student Competition

  60. 15/07 12:23

    V. Kikilias: Comprehensive master plan for the port of Mykonos

  61. 15/07 12:19

    Mallorca's tourism reputation hits all-time low

  62. 15/07 11:36

    How much did rodent noise pollution cost a hotel in Crete? | German court ruling

  63. 15/07 10:53

    Suspension of the GNTO Russia operation - Promotion in the USA via a TV series

  64. 15/07 10:51

    G. Hadjimarkos: The new Collective Labor Agreement in Rhodes is an act of responsibility and maturity

  65. 15/07 10:48

    Crete Tourism Organizations: Congratulations to Lina Mendoni for the Inclusion of the Minoan Palatial Centers in UNESCO

  66. 15/07 10:42

    Opening Pieria to the Turkish market through influencers

  67. 15/07 08:24

    Public campsites on the Superfund's agenda: Asprovalta takes its turn - Kriopigi follows

  68. 15/07 08:06

    Municipality of Oichalia: Platform for the promotion of tourism and culture

  69. 15/07 08:02

    Sounds of Rhodope: A musical retrospective of the multicultural heritage of Thrace

  70. 15/07 07:57

    WAVErunning 2025: Running alongside the waves for clean beaches

  71. 15/07 07:17

    The “sunbed battle” is still going strong – What psychology is behind it

  72. 15/07 07:14

    Permits for floating platforms in front of hotels in Anavyssos and Chania

  73. 15/07 07:11

    Reduction of the minimum distance from neighboring uses for a kart track in Malia

  74. 15/07 07:09

    Yiannis Hatzis: The future of Greek tourism lies in small hotel businesses

  75. 15/07 06:21

    Nikos Chalkiadakis in Tornos News: Crete cannot stand a migrant accommodation facility

  76. 15/07 01:36

    SEO Services Cost: What You Pay and What You Get

  77. 14/07 19:34

    Rhodes Hotel Association | Signing of a local CBA with 11% increases over three years

  78. 14/07 19:30

    Eurostat: One in 2 Greeks cannot afford a vacation

  79. 14/07 15:53

    Hoteliers' Campaign | "Tourists, thank you for visiting Mallorca"

  80. 14/07 15:34

    Vavoulas Group strengthens its presence in Crete

  81. 14/07 13:58

    EasyJet’s initiative for family reconnection without digital disruption

  82. 14/07 13:28

    Eleni Skarveli: Greece Best European Destination at The Telegraph Travel Awards 2025

  83. 14/07 12:25

    Skiathos nominated for the international distinction of “Most Desirable Island in Europe”

  84. 14/07 12:19

    The University of the Aegean presents the application of EUDI Wallet in coastal shipping and air transport

  85. 14/07 11:32

    Jennifer Lopez celebrates her birthday at the opening of a hotel in Antalya

  86. 14/07 10:36

    Wyndham: Partnership with Cygnett for 60 Hotels in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal

  87. 14/07 09:45

    ERG: Competition 455,000 euros for 2-year travel services

  88. 14/07 08:15

    Balearis: Black Night for Bars - Difficult to find staff, but also customers

  89. 14/07 07:55

    International Music Festival in Lesbian Summer 2025

  90. 14/07 07:48

    Chios Homeric sound: Music festival with classical education and world Greekness

  91. 14/07 07:11

    Hellaktor: Land-Cilestone Investments in Tourism focusing on Alimos Marina and the new hotel "The Fiction"

  92. 14/07 07:02

    Lycaia 2025: 14th Revival of Ancient Sport and Culture Games in Lycaio Mountain

  93. 14/07 06:58

    Ilia: In Colliri the 1st Festival of Kolire Olive

  94. 14/07 01:14

    Wizz Air exits Middle East

  95. 13/07 16:30

    Knossos on the UNESCO World Heritage List

  96. 13/07 16:06

    Which airport hotels in Europe offer value, and what… they just cost

  97. 13/07 13:36

    Climate crisis threatens Eurozone GDP: Possible drop of up to 5% by 2030

  98. 13/07 13:33

    New round of tariffs by Trump: 30% on EU and Mexico – Fears of a trade war

  99. 13/07 08:40

    “Give life to the dying shipbuilding yards” – Out of the 300+ in Greece, only 70 remain

  100. 13/07 07:47

    Crete 2025: The 10 top hotels, according to House & Garden