The coronavirus pandemic has necessarily made germophobes out of even some of the most adventurous sorts. We’ve adopted a new normal that includes frequent handwashing, social distancing, and mask-wearing, but we are naturally concerned about the cleaning standards of the public spaces we encounter. To help travelers feel safe, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has created global health and safety protocols and authorizes the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp of approval for businesses that adopt them.

These Safe Travels standards are developed in cooperation with governments, health experts, and travel industry associations. They are evolving as knowledge about the virus develops and will address at least eleven industries of the Travel & Tourism sector, including:

• Hospitality
• Attractions
• Outdoor Retail
• Aviation
• Airports
• Short Term Rentals
• Cruise
• Tour Operators
• Convention Centers, Meetings & Events
• Car Rental
• Insurance

The goal of the Safe Travels protocols is to drive a coordinated effort among all facets of travel and tourism to reassure travelers and rebuild confidence. To further help with the standardization of safe travel, WTTC also identified core requirements for destinations.

Businesses and destinations that meet the standards set out by the WTTC earn the right to display and use the first ever global safety stamp. At this time, over 1,200 hotels, airlines, tour operators, and car rental companies, as well as over 80 destinations have earned the Safe Travels stamp. More travel and tourism businesses embrace the protocols every day. We hope this boldly colored stamp becomes more ubiquitous than McDonald’s across the globe. When travelers see it displayed, they can be confident that the best practices of health and hygiene are taken seriously there.  

Restarting travel is so important because, in addition to enabling the all-important family vacation and facilitating organizations’ business needs, travel is vital to the global economy. The WTTC is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. In 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for 330 million jobs, or 1 in 10 jobs around the world. It also contributed 10.3% of the global GDP. So travel is not only fun, engaging, and mind-expanding, it is essential.

When you are ready to return to travel for leisure or business, Covington will help you choose suppliers who proudly display the Safe Travels stamp so you can travel with confidence.