What is the Safe Travels Stamp?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Travel & Tourism Council (“WTTC”) has created the Safe Travels stamp, which is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for the travel and tourism industry. The Safe Travels Stamp was designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world who have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so visitors can experience “Safe Travels.” Over 49 countries, and 12 sub regions of countries have received the stamp, such as Portugal, Jamaica, Aruba and many more. Examples of some of the accepted protocols include operations procedures like retraining staff, revising cleaning procedures, mandating masks where required, monitoring guest numbers to facilitate social distancing, creating new signage to encourage guests to use safe hygiene practices to name a few. The entire Safe Travels effort has received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
What is the WTTC?
The World Travel & Tourism Council (“WTTC”) represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism, with a mission to ensure the sector is seamless, secure, safe, inclusive, and sustainable. The WTTC set out to standardize safe travel, developing new global standards and a stamp that would help travelers recognize the businesses and destinations following best practices.
How can a business receive the Safe Travels Stamp?
Ontario businesses can apply for the Safe Travels Stamp through the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), authorized by the WTTC. Businesses must demonstrate to TIAO that they are operating responsibly and are following a set of industry or government accepted safety protocols. The business must ensure that its own safety guidelines align with the WTTC’s core requirements divided up by different sectors of the travel industry and include: Hospitality, Outdoor Shopping and Retail Establishments, Aviation, Airports, Tour Operators, Convention Centres, Attractions, Short-Term Rentals, and Car Rentals.
How does the Safe Travel Stamp help guests?
The stamp helps travelers recognize the businesses and destinations that are following best industry and government standard safety practices, saving travelers the hassle and worry of whether or not a certain company is doing enough to keep guests safe.
What businesses can receive this stamp?
Hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports around the world are eligible to receive the stamp through the WTTC.
Who in Vaughan has the Safe Travels Stamp?
There are many places in Vaughan that have committed to keeping guests safe with the Safe Travels Stamp. Look for the Safe Travels Stamp listed with any accommodations, attractions or businesses pages on our website.
Where can I learn more about the Safe Travels Stamp?
Please visit the Safe Travels page on the WTTC website.