WTTC unveils health & safety protocols to re-establish confidence in travel
A range of worldwide measures to restart travel and tourism with confidence have been unveiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The new set of guidelines, coined the ‘Safe Travels’ protocols, have been crafted to rebuild confidence among consumers, and provide consistency for the full suite of industries that make up the travel and tourism sector, on the new approach to health and hygiene in the post-COVID-19 world.
It comes in a bid by the private sector’s peak tourism body to create an overarching industry health policy, following WHO and CDC guidelines, to avoid the emergence of multiple standards, a scenario that would “only delay the sector’s recovery”.
“We have learned from the past, especially after the tragedy of 9/11, where the lack of coordination among governments and with the private sector caused long-lasting travel disruption, higher costs and a longer recovery time,” WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara said.
“Coordination and alignment within the travel and tourism sector is vital to ensure that robust global measures are put in place to help rebuild confidence and which are jointly embraced by the governments and private sector.”
According to the council, the Safe Travels protocols were drawn up and endorsed by its members, including the likes of Hilton, Radisson Hospitality, Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels Group, and industry associations.
These include Airports Council International (ACI), the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“We are delighted that for the first time ever, the global private sector has aligned around these new Safe Travels protocols which will create consistency across the sector,” Guevara said.
“Now, we are calling on governments to adopt them so that they can be implemented globally and restore much-needed confidence in order to restart the travel and tourism sector.”
The WTTC said detailed discussions are now taking place with key stakeholders and organisations in each industry within the sector – including MICE – to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, with hospitality and retail guidelines released on Tuesday.
“We see green shoots of hope emerging as our global community turns its attention toward recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” WTTC chairman and Hilton president and CEO Chris Nassetta said.
“But we know that travellers will only venture out into the world again when they feel it is safe to do so, making it critically important that we give them the confidence and peace of mind they need.
“The global protocols WTTC has laid out are designed to align the travel and tourism industry around consistent health and safety guidelines that will help protect travellers wherever their journey takes them.”
The news comes just days after the world’s peak tourism body, the UNWTO, revealed tourism faces its worst crisis since records began, with as many as 1.1 billion fewer people travelling in 2020.
In Africa, where travel and tourism comprises 80 per cent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this drastic downturn in travel could see the continent’s tourism sector (which represents 7.1 per cent of its GDP) “collapse”, taking with it the livelihoods of at least 24.6 million people.
“The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is being felt across the whole travel and tourism value chain,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.
“The sector is particularly exposed with millions of livelihoods across the world, especially within vulnerable communities, supported by the sector.
“International financial support is key to ensuring that travel and tourism can lead to wider economic and social recovery in these communities.”
The UNWTO has now joined IATA, the WTTC, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) in an urgent appeal for support for the industry from international financial institutions, country development partners and international donors.
According to the WTTC, many countries lack the necessary resources to help the industry and the livelihoods of its airline, hotel, guesthouse, lodge, restaurant, meeting venue, SME and related business employees through the COVID-19 crisis.
“Travel and tourism is the backbone of many economies across Africa and its collapse will lead to hundreds of millions of livelihoods being impacted and enormous financial pressure for years to come,” Guevara said.
“Now, more than ever, it is vital that governments work together on a global coordinated approach towards a swift recovery and ongoing support for travel and tourism.
“It is critical that the most vulnerable communities receive international help.”
Moreover, there are fears from wholesalers, like Bench Africa, that the financial risks of the coronavirus pandemic could impact tourism-dependent community and conservation projects across the continent.
The WTTC, the UNWTO, IATA, the AFRAA and the AASA are now calling for $10 billion in relief to support the industry and help protect the livelihoods of those it supports directly and indirectly.
They’re also calling for access to as much grant-type financing and cash flow assistance as possible, and financial measures that can help minimise disruptions to much-needed credit and liquidity for businesses.
This includes the deferral of existing financial obligations or loan repayments; and ensuring that all funds flow down immediately to save the businesses that need them urgently, with minimal application processes and without impediment from normal lending considerations such as creditworthiness.
Featured image: iStock/CatEyePerspective
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
AASA AFRAA coronavirus COVID-19 hilton iata intercontinental hotels group marriott international Radisson Hospitality Safe Travels protocols unwto wttcLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.