As lockdowns ease and travelling resumes around the world, the chief concern is how to ensure everyone’s health and safety. The World Travel & Tourism Council has come up with a way of doing just that, thanks to a “safe travels” stamp.

The idea is simple – travellers will be able to make sure that health and safety protocols issued by WHO are being implemented by looking for the WTTC official “safe travels” stamp. Everyone involved in the travel and tourism industries, from countries to cities to single hotels, airlines or restaurants can request to be involved in the initiative.

All those interested in joining can start by consulting the documents the WTTC has put out (and continues to update) about how hospitality, shopping, aviation, airports, tour operators and convention centres can deal with the new normal in the safest way possible.

These airlines now require travellers to wear face masks

“Now travellers will be able to recognise the businesses and destinations worldwide which have adopted the new set of global protocols that will encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world,” said WTTC president Gloria Guevara in a statement. “It will, in turn, help the Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business and move in a coordinated approach”. The “safe travels” stamp initiative is being backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. “This is key to build trust and we will only succeed if we work together,” declared its secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

A picture of the Riyadh skyline
Several locations have already joined the initiative, like the country of Saudi Arabia © Qasim Mirza / 500px

The first destinations around the world to back the initiative have been locations like Saudi Arabia and Portugal, as well as the cities of Cancún in Mexico and Barcelona and Seville in Spain.

People sitting outside during summer in old Seville
Seville is another one of the destinations backing and participating in the

If you’re interested in knowing more about the initiative, you can check out its official page on the World Travel & Tourism Council’s website here.

Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Find out how COVID-19 is changing travel.

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