WTTC Launches Safe Travel Protocols for New Normal

Saturday 30th of May 2020

WTTC Launches Safe Travel Protocols for New Normal

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils the second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling. WTTC will create short protocol reports for at least nine industries within Travel & Tourism to align the private sector behind common standards to ensure the safety of its workforce and travelers as the sector shifts to a new normal.

The proposed initial industries within Travel & Tourism are:

• Hospitality

• Outdoor Retail

• Aviation

• Airports

• Cruise

• Tour Operators

• Convention Centres and MICE

• Car Rental (likely)

• Insurance (likely)

The protocols are divided into four pillars: Operational and Staff Preparedness, Ensuring a Safe Experience, Rebuilding Trust & Confidence and Implementing Enabling Policies.

Hospitality

Protocols were compiled based on input from leading hospitality companies either directly or from their public announcements around the safe, healthy and responsible reopening of hotels to the public. The protocols also take into account World Health Organization (WHO) and the US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The objective is to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant functions with an increased focus on health, safety and social distancing guidance which travelers will need and expect.

Aviation

Protocols for the aviation industry were compiled on the basis of insights and frameworks developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of airlines around the world. The objective is to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant functions with an increased focus on health, safety and physical distancing standards which travelers will need and expect

Convention Centres, Meetings and Events

Protocols for Convention Centers, Meetings and Events were compiled based on input from leading companies in the industry either directly or from their public announcements around the safe, healthy, and responsible reopening of convention centers, meetings, and events to the public. The objective is to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant functions with an increased focus on health, safety, and physical distancing guidance which event participants and organizers will need and expect.

Tour Operators

Protocols were compiled based on input from leading tour operators either directly or from their public announcements around the healthy, and responsible reopening of tour operations to the public. The protocols also take into account WHO, the US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines. The objective is to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant functions with an increased focus on health, hygiene, and reduction of physical contact guidance which travelers will need and expect to embrace a safe travel experience.

Airports

Protocols for airports were compiled based on insights and frameworks developed by Airport Council International (ACI) around the safe, healthy and responsible reopening of airports to the public. The protocols also take into account guidelines of recognized institutions including World Health Organisation (WHO). The objective is to ensure that protocols are in place across all relevant functions to embrace a safe travel experience, with an increased focus on health and safety guidance which travelers will need and expect.