WTTC launches Safe Travels protocols for attractions, car and short-term rental

London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk, and encourage the return of Safe Travels.

The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, drive business to car hire companies, and enable short-term rentals to begin welcoming guests.

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, held detailed discussions with key stakeholders and organizations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment, and practical implementation.

The measures help to set clear expectations of what travelers can experience in the ‘new normal’ which offers safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the WTTC protocols also take into account guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognizes those destinations, countries, businesses, and governments worldwide which have adopted them.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Worldwide attractions, car hire, and short-term rentals, all represent key components of many family holidays, so it’s vital we establish measures which allow safe travels to take place for holidaymakers and travelers.

“Consumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in which Travel & Tourism can resume. We know travelers will want to explore and engage with the world around them once more and their return will also help power the world’s much-needed economic recovery. 

“We would like to pay tribute to all those companies in the global private sector who have stepped forward and rallied around to support WTTC Safe Travels protocols. They create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated Travel & Tourism sector to re-open for business.

“The expertise from businesses large and small has contributed to defining the new experience for travelers and these robust global measures have been embraced around the world.”

Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO said:

"The desire to travel is deeply rooted in humanity. The industry will rebound and is critical to supporting the social and economic recovery of communities. Airbnb welcomes the WTTC's work to create health and safety protocols that protect communities and support governmental efforts to reopen economies."

Enrique Ybarra, Founder, President and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide said:

"COVID-19 has paralyzed the travel industry and changed our way of living, however, it is encouraging to see that some countries are managing to reduce infection and contagion, allowing them to return to business. While we are slowly getting back to a "new normal", we cannot forget the virus is still amongst us and all of us in the industry have to take the necessary measures to reduce the risk of contagion and make our customers feel safe. The Health and Safety Travel Protocols addressed by the WTTC are vital for the entire travel industry, as they will allow us to usher in an era of responsible tourism and allow people to resume discovering, exploring, and enjoying the world safely."

The welfare of travelers and the millions of people employed throughout the Travel & Tourism sector at the heart of WTTC’s comprehensive package of Safe Travels protocols.

They avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and delay the sector’s recovery.

They also provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators, and travelers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post-COVID-19 world. 

Protocols for the attractions industry were compiled on the basis of insights and frameworks developed by the Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA) to support the safe, healthy, and responsible restart of attractions around the world. 

The measures increase the focus on health, safety, and physical distancing standards for venues such as amusement parks, aquariums, family entertainment centers, museums, science centers, theme parks, water parks, zoos and other entertainment and cultural attractions.

Car hire has become an essential provider of transport and mobility during normal times for anyone who needs to travel, and in the post COVID-19 world could be vital for those who provide critical services, including healthcare professionals, emergency services, and utilities.

The proposed Short-Term Rental protocols were designed for owners and operators.

Leading companies and associations in the Short-Term Rental industry were consulted closely by WTTC. Many partnered with trusted experts in public health and governments to support the safe, healthy, and responsible reopening of this type of accommodation to travelers.

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; delivering a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence, and implementing enabling policies.

Measures announced today include:

Attractions

• Encourage guests to buy advanced tickets online if possible and considered timed entries and smaller groups

• Identify realistic capacities for attractions based on queue length, waiting areas, pre-shows, and vehicle capacity and adjust accordingly to allow for physical distancing

• Use of virtual queue systems, contactless touchpoints, and payment where possible

• Personal protection equipment (PPE) available for all customer-facing staff

• Enhanced cleaning at high-frequency touchpoints, such as handrails, common areas, and lifts. 

• Sanitize strollers, electric buggies and wheelchairs between every use if applicable

• Make available hand sanitizers in high-traffic areas such as entry, key walkways, food and beverage locations, merchandise shops and exits

• Consider increasing the number of performances and an end-of-show announcement to encourage guests to take their time exiting 

• For water parks, evaluate closing or removing hands-on interactive features within play structures if they aren’t covered in treated pool water

• Encourage guests to reduce the number of personal items they bring into the venue

Car Rental

• Pre-arrival health declaration via email, if required and in accordance with GDPR

• Enhance cleaning to all offices, including check-in, counters, desktops, washrooms, and any high-frequency touchpoints

• Encourage the use of curbside pick-up and drop off. Consider moving to a fully digital process including payments and limit physical interaction with staff

• Health/temperature checks, if recommended by legislation, and sanitation stations for customers through hand sanitizers in high-traffic areas

• Limit the number of people allowed per vehicle collection, as well as decreasing the number of people allowed in the car rental establishment at any one time

• All cars to be cleaned with a focus on high-frequency touchpoints such as keys, steering wheels, steering column, gear stick, seats, seat pockets, seat belts, door handles, gearboxes, gloveboxes, vents, key fobs, door interiors, areas between seats, dashboards, radio controls, center consoles, rearview and side mirrors, cup holders and other surfaces.

Short-Term Rentals

• Use of contactless technology to enable automation at check-in and payment where possible

• Minimise physical interaction when providing guests with keys, ideally in a contactless manner by offering self- check-in and check-out, where possible

• Enhance sanitation, disinfection, and deep cleaning practices as well as increasing their cleaning/disinfection frequency with a focus on high-frequency touchpoints, including bedrooms, common areas, washrooms, and kitchens, including cutlery and utensil sanitization

• Provide guests with physical distancing etiquette, including in elevators if relevant, through signage

• Make available hand sanitizer to guests at the entrance of the short-term rental

WTTC has previously issued details safe travel protocols for aviation, airlines, MICE, tour operators, hospitality, and outdoor retail, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.

It has also unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage Safe Travels and the reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector.

Major tourist destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Portugal, Jamaica and Cancun, and Los Cabos, among many others, have led the way to sign up to the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp.

Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities are in place to enable a more resilient Travel & Tourism sector.  

According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, 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 n2ew jobs.

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