Safe Travels https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/tag/safe-travels/ Informing, connecting and developing the world’s travel industry professionals. Thu, 18 May 2023 07:32:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Thailand, Barbados and Cyprus join over 275 destinations to adopt WTTC Safe Travels stamp https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/thailand-barbados-and-cyprus-join-over-275-destinations-to-adopt-wttc-safe-travels-stamp/ Mon, 17 May 2021 00:31:42 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=670690 The post Thailand, Barbados and Cyprus join over 275 destinations to adopt WTTC Safe Travels stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The hotspots of Thailand, Barbados, Cyprus, Abu Dhabi, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, among the latest to join WTTC’s ever-growing list

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Following its launch just 12 months ago, the highly popular Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has now been adopted by more than 275 destinations around the world.

WTTC, which has continually led the private sector to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of Safe Travels, made history when it launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, just 12 months ago.

The stamp was developed to help restore confidence in travellers and aims to revive the global Travel & Tourism sector which has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is being used by destinations around the world, with the hotspots of Thailand, Barbados, Cyprus, Abu Dhabi, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, among the latest to join WTTC’s ever-growing list.

The WTTC Safe Travels stamp, and its global protocols have been embraced by more than 200 Travel & Tourism CEOs, and many of the world’s major tourism groups.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO said: “We are delighted that our Safe Travels stamp continues to grow from strength to strength and has been adopted by destinations from all corners of the world. From Portugal to Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka to Slovenia, Tunisia to Tobago, our stamp is now recognised around the globe, which is testimony to the hard work which has been put in to make the stamp work for both destinations and holidaymakers. As the global vaccine rollout picks up pace around the world and with travel restrictions beginning to be relaxed, we believe the stamp will prove a key component of destination recovery and restoring consumer confidence.”

The WTTC Safe Travel stamp protocols were designed following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and taking best practices from WTTC’s Members into account.

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Iceland, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Colombia adopt WTTC safety stamp https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/iceland-argentina-kazakhstan-and-colombia-adopt-wttc-safety-stamp/ Fri, 06 Nov 2020 05:29:25 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=564566 The post Iceland, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Colombia adopt WTTC safety stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Iceland, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Colombia and Turks and Caicos are the latest major destinations to adopt the WTTC global safety and hygiene stamp, which was launched earlier this year

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Iceland, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Colombia and Turks and Caicos are the latest major destinations to adopt the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) global safety and hygiene stamp, which was launched earlier this year.

The Safe Travels stamp was developed as the first of its kind to help restore confidence in travellers and aims to revive an ailing travel sector. It is now being used by over 145 destinations, including major holiday hotspots such as Puerto Rico, Philippines, Portugal, Turkey and Maldives. The stamp allows travellers to identify which destinations around the world have adopted standardised global health and hygiene protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

This landmark move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of our Safe Travels stamp. More than 145 destinations now proudly use the stamp, all of which are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide. Global coordination is more important than ever in the road to recovery. As the stamp continues growing in popularity, travellers will more easily be able to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted these important standardised global protocols, encouraging the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.”

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Cultural extravaganza marks Machu Pichu’s reopening https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/cultural-extravaganza-marks-machu-pichus-reopening/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 02:12:08 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=564222 The post Cultural extravaganza marks Machu Pichu’s reopening appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Peru’s sanctuary of Machu Pichu, the iconic archaeological site, reopened its doors with a special ceremony that showed the numerous cultural expressions of the country

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Peru’s sanctuary of Machu Pichu, the iconic archaeological site, reopened its doors with a special ceremony that showed the numerous cultural expressions of the country. The event was led by the minister of foreign trade and tourism, Rocío Barrios, and the minister of culture, Alejandro Neyra, who were accompanied by the minister of the environment, Kirla Echegaray, the regional governor of Cusco, Jean Paul Benavente, and the district mayor of Machu Pichu, Darwin Baca, among other authorities.

Barrios also delivered the ‘Safe Travels’ seal to the destination, which implies strict compliance with biosecurity protocols from the arrival of visitors to the Aguas Calientes train station, in its restaurants, lodgings, transportation to the entrance of the citadel and inside the historic sanctuary. “Now visitors as soon as they think of returning to our wonder of the world will be sure that strict biosecurity protocols are followed here. Tourism is returning, responsibly and gradually,” she said.

The reopening ceremony began with a payment to the land in gratitude and a Cusco show with 45 local artists on stage. The reopening of the Peruvian tourism icon marks a milestone in the reactivation of the industry in the country.

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Aloha! Hawaii reopens after seven months, receives over 8000 tourists on Day 1 https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/aloha-hawaii-reopens-after-seven-months-receives-over-8000-tourists-on-day-1/ Fri, 23 Oct 2020 03:57:49 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=562431 The post Aloha! Hawaii reopens after seven months, receives over 8000 tourists on Day 1 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

After remaining in lockdown for nearly seven months, it’s time to rejoice as Hawaii has finally reopened borders for oversea tourists

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After remaining in lockdown for nearly seven months, it’s time to rejoice as Hawaii has finally reopened borders for oversea tourists. On the first day of the reopening, the US state recorded footfall of over 8000 tourists.

The latest Hawaii guidelines say tourists can travel to Hawaiian Islands without going under a mandatory 14-day quarantine by showing a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight. If someone arrives in the state without a COVID-19 certificate, they have the option to not get tested and choose a 14-day quarantine.

Also, travellers need to create a profile on Safe Travels website that will help the authorities to keep a track and enforce quarantines for such visitors.

Hawaii’s pre-travel programme is aimed to kickstart the tourism industry in the state, which has suffered immensely due to the virus breakdown since March. According to local news, among 4000 restaurants, bakeries, and eateries, nearly 100 have closed permanently.

Hawaii’s economy is mostly tourism-based. Hawaii was quick to impose lockdown during the initial phase of the pandemic and mandatory quarantine was put in place on 26 March. With these measures, the state successfully avoided the early spikes. However, this majorly affected the state’s economy.

Every traveller’s paradise, Hawaii is one gorgeous island destination in the US renowned for its pristine beaches, blue lagoons, emerald valleys and active volcanoes. The place is a paradise for beach vacation seekers. Some of the must-visit beaches in the state are the Hulopoe Beach in Lanai, Hapuna Beach, Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Kaunaoa Beach in Big Island and Lanikai Beach in O’ahu.

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Peru, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and more get world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/peru-bahamas-puerto-rico-and-more-get-worlds-first-global-safety-and-hygiene-stamp/ Wed, 14 Oct 2020 03:51:35 +0000 http://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=561514 The post Peru, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and more get world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Peru, Bahamas and Puerto Rico are the latest destinations to use the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched earlier this year by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

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Peru, Bahamas and Puerto Rico are the latest destinations to use the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched earlier this year by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC, which represents the global travel private sector, recently announced that in just three short months, 100 destinations were now using its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp –with the Philippines becoming the official 100th destination. The stamp, which was developed to help restore confidence in travellers and aims to revive an ailing travel sector, is now also being used by many more major holiday destinations such as Paraguay, Gambia, Zambia, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The stamp enables travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted standardised global health and hygiene protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’. This landmark move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The launch of global protocols to recover the tourism sector have been embraced by over 200 CEOs, including some of the world’s major tourism groups.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “Our Safe Travels stamp continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted with its success so far. More than 120 destinations now proudly use the stamp, all of which are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.”

Carla Campos, Puerto Rico Tourism Company (government of Puerto Rico) executive director, said: “Puerto Rico was one of the first destinations in the Western Hemisphere to design and implement an industry-specific safety and health program for the entire destination with the creation of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Gold Star Health and Safety Seal Certification back on 4 May. Today, we are proud to join WTTC’s Safe Travels global protocols and stamp programme.”

Hamat NK Bah, Gambia’s minister of tourism and culture, said: “Tourism plays a pivotal role in the economic growth of the Gambia, and as we strive to recover from the devastating impacts COVID-19 has on our economy, tourism is integral in this process.”

Felix S. Chaila, CEO of Zambia Tourism Agency said: “As Zambia begins its road to tourism recovery, we are pleased to be associated with the WTTC’s Safe Travels global protocols.  We are committed to meeting COVID-19 safety requirements that promote restarting tourism without inhibiting our tourism business sector.”

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‘Guanajuato, Live Great Stories’ reactivation campaign to capitalise on state’s history to attract tourists in Mexico https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/guanajuato-live-great-stories-reactivation-campaign-to-capitalise-on-states-history-to-attract-tourists-in-mexico/ Thu, 01 Oct 2020 07:00:05 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=560366 The post ‘Guanajuato, Live Great Stories’ reactivation campaign to capitalise on state’s history to attract tourists in Mexico appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Guanajuato has started its tourism reactivation with the launch of its new brand with the slogan ‘Guanajuato, live great stories

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The state of Guanajuato, located in the centre of Mexico, in the region known as El Bajío, and home to the colonial jewels of San Miguel de Allende and the state’s capital, Guanajuato City, has started its tourism reactivation with the launch of its new brand with the slogan ‘Guanajuato, live great stories’.

“We are inviting our visitors and tourists to be the protagonists of their own history, taking as a setting the tourist wealth of our state, as well as our World Heritage Cities, magical towns, archaeological zones — every corner of Guanajuato,” said governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo. “Today, from the heart of our capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we announce to Mexico and the world that Guanajuato is the ideal place to live great stories.”

Guanajuato has a rich history dating back to pre-Hispanic times, when nomadic indigenous populations made areas of the state their home, leaving behind unique archaeological sites. The state is also the cradle of the Mexican independence movement and houses some of the most well-maintained colonial and baroque aquiculture of the Spanish conquest in the country. In addition, Guanajuato boasts a diverse terrain. A drive across its landscape brings visitors to deserts, evergreen areas, urbane and industrial cities, and zones rich in flora and fauna.

The new campaign marks the reactivation of tourism in Guanajuato’s 46 municipalities, with more than 150 products and experiences for our visitors, according to Vallejo.

The state of Guanajuato took advantage of the months tourism was halted due to Covid-19 to work with local industry and redesign its tourism strategy. The launch of this campaign, Gov. Rodríguez Vallejo said, is one more step in the phased reopening of the state, which is proceeding as sanitary conditions allow it, and the economic reactivation of tourist arrivals to Guanajuato.

Promotion of the new brand will be implemented in phases as the destination reopens. At the moment, it will be promoted and disseminated in state, regional and national media in Mexico; at a second stage, it will go international. Additional activities will be undertaken with trade partners in the U.S. and Canada.

Part of the state’s reopening strategy included the ability to offer visitors a healthy stay. In June, with the possibility of business starting to reopen, the state developed its Guanajuato Sano Distinction or Healthy Guanajuato on-site certification following international protocols and instructions. All service providers and companies in the sector had to obtain the certification prior to reopening. When the World Travel and Tourism Council announced its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, the state easily obtained the certification, becoming the first Mexican destination without a beach to receive the recognition.

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New milestone: WTTC celebrates as Philippines becomes 100th destination to get ‘Safe Travels’ stamp https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/new-milestone-wttc-celebrates-as-philippines-becomes-100th-destination-to-get-safe-travels-stamp/ Mon, 21 Sep 2020 03:59:54 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=559573 The post New milestone: WTTC celebrates as Philippines becomes 100th destination to get ‘Safe Travels’ stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

WTTC has announced that in just three short months, 100 destinations are now using its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, with the Philippines becoming the official 100th destination

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that in just three short months, 100 destinations are now using its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, with the Philippines becoming the official 100th destination.

WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector, made history earlier this year when it launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, and today the Safe Travels stamp reached its first major milestone. The stamp, which was developed in order to help restore confidence in travellers and work to revive an ailing travel sector, is now also being used by many more major holiday destinations such as the Maldives, Bermuda, Namibia, Uganda and Montenegro.

The specially designed stamp enables travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’. This landmark move by WTTC also received the backing of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The launch of global protocols to recover the travel sector have been embraced by over 200 CEO’s including some of the world’s major tourism groups.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “We are delighted to see our innovative initiative is proving such a great success and is being used by destinations from all corners of the globe. The 100 destinations which now proudly use the stamp are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide. We welcome the Philippines, an incredible destination and home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands, as our 100th destination, as well as other popular destinations around the globe such as Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia and Kenya.”

 

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Maldives gets Safe Travels Stamp by WTTC https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/maldives-gets-safe-travels-stamp-by-wttc/ Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:30:22 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=559407 The post Maldives gets Safe Travels Stamp by WTTC appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

World Travel and Tourism Council has recognised the efforts of Maldives in implementing enhanced health and safety measures

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The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognised the efforts of Maldives in implementing enhanced health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global Safe Travels protocols, and creating a safe, gradual plan by rebuilding confidence among travellers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting its tourism industry.

Maldives achieved the Safe Travels Stamp, which is endorsed by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and more than 200 travel companies. The objective of the Safe Travel Stamp is to provide confidence to travellers and re-establish consumer confidence in travel and tourism and ensure travellers of enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and the assurance that they can once again experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Since the launch of the stamp, major destinations around the world have signed up to the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp.

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WTTC unveils Safe Travels protocols for adventure travel to rebuild confidence https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-unveils-safe-travels-protocols-for-adventure-travel-to-rebuild-confidence/ Fri, 04 Sep 2020 01:00:35 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=558208 The post WTTC unveils Safe Travels protocols for adventure travel to rebuild confidence appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the latest set of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of safe travel.

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the latest set of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of safe travel.

The latest protocols for the global travel and tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of adventure tourism, which should see an increase in popularity as travellers seek more unique experiences post COVID-19. WTTC held detailed discussions with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation.

The measures help to set clear expectations of what travellers can experience in the ‘new normal’ which offer safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the WTTC protocols also take into account guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognises those destinations, countries, businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them.

Protocols for the adventure tourism industry were compiled on the basis of insights and frameworks developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), in collaboration with a number of key tour operators in the segment such as Abercrombie & Kent, Eurotur, Intrepid and The Travel Corporation (TTC), to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of adventure tourism around the world. Within these protocols, the adventure tourism industry refers to a wide variety of adventure tourism experiences including cycling, rafting, trekking, skiing, snowboarding, wildlife safaris and culinary tours, among others.

Not only are these activities mostly outdoors, thus limiting time spent in indoors; but group sizes can be managed to allow for physical distancing. It is expected that this type of tourism will see growth in the post-COVID landscape.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “Adventure tourism is becoming increasingly popular amongst travellers and will represent a key component to travel in the new normal. According to our recently launched COVID-19 Travel Demand Recovery Dashboard, it is also one of the fastest growing segments, which is why it is vital to establish measures allowing safe travels for adventure travellers. Consumer confidence is crucial for travel to resume.”

Shannon Stowell, ATTA CEO, said: “As tourism professionals, our priority now is to see adventure travel come back strong, resilient and sustainably. WTTC and ATTA collaborating on global guidelines for adventure travel is a significant effort to support companies worldwide in re-opening as quickly and safely as possible.”

The welfare of travellers and the millions of people employed throughout the tourism sector at the heart of WTTC’s comprehensive package of Safe Travels protocols. It divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; delivering a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; and implementing enabling policies. Measures announced include:

  • Reduce participant capacity limits for activities as appropriate to allow for physical distancing
  • Ensured activity difficulty levels do not exceed guest ability and skill, thus decreasing the need for a possible rescue
  • Provide clear, consistent, and up-to-date communication on new health & hygiene protocols via the organisation’s channels, both digitally and physically through clear signage
  • Promote contact tracing apps if required by local legislation
  • Inform guests about support available if questions or concerns arise
  • Share guest guidelines ahead of trip or activity digitally and in person upon arrival on the basis of advice from health authorities, which may include the wearing of face masks or coverings, guidance on hand hygiene and avoiding physical contact. Consider having consumers acknowledge guidelines
  • Encouraged guests to purchase tickets online if possible
  • Keep the same households, families, or members of group bookings together for all activities to lower risk of exposure for those outside of that unit, wherever possible
  • Ensure, where possible, that each guest can handle their own equipment and gear for the duration of the trip. Where possible, guests should be encouraged bring their own equipment or gear, such as bikes, skis, and helmets among others
  • Limited physical contact and queuing where possible

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Johor Bahru top choice for domestic travel in Malaysia https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/johor-bahru-top-choice-for-domestic-travel-in-malaysia/ Fri, 04 Sep 2020 00:30:28 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=558200 The post Johor Bahru top choice for domestic travel in Malaysia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

As domestic and regional travel picks up steam in many parts of the world in tandem with the relaxing of travel restrictions, OYO has moved to capture the early travel trends, in the first edition of the Unlocking Travel Report

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As domestic and regional travel picks up steam in many parts of the world in tandem with the relaxing of travel restrictions, OYO has moved to capture the early travel trends, in the first edition of the Unlocking Travel Report. The report captures insights on global consumer travel and booking trends during the ongoing pandemic, revealing travellers’ top preferences and the destinations around the world seeing the most active resurgence of travel.

From data on travel preferences across different geographies, it notes that Americans prefer long-term stays whereas Europeans are increasingly opting for nature-friendly as well as flexible pet-friendly vacation homes, and also hotels conveniently located close to grocery stores or markets. Guests in India prefer to travel within a radius of 200km, to facilitate road travel to either neighbouring towns or states, consequently increasing the popularity of road trips. The study also shows that economy and mid-scale hotels are the preferred choice for travellers across the globe.

These preferences and trends are in turn shaping the future of the OYO business roadmap, by influencing planning for new offerings and packages for potential guests. OYO’s global booking trends recorded from 8 June to 8 July 2020 showed Malaysia among the top three countries with the most bookings in the OYO network. Breaking the numbers down, the most bookings were made for properties in Johor Bahru, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu.

To enhance consumer experiences and make it a seamless process right from the discovery and booking stage, OYO also recently launched its self-help tools and ChatBot across key markets including India, the US, UK, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Tan Ming Luk, country head of Malaysia and Singapore at OYO Hotels & Homes said: “The phrase ‘Safe Travels’ has been in the lexicon of human culture for so long, yet for most people, never before has it been more poignant than in the world we live in today. Through our customer survey and observation of booking trends, we seek to listen to our guests and form a deeper understanding of their top priorities, and in line with this, work towards building capabilities to stay ahead of the curve.”

“Through the Unlocking Travel Report and other efforts, we have ascertained that Malaysians are making travel plans, even if it remains a low-key priority for the next few months. We are already seeing signs of market recovery, as the desire to travel remains unquenched locally and in other markets we are in,” Luk added.

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Intrepid Travel runs first tour in over four months https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/intrepid-travel-runs-first-tour-in-over-four-months/ Mon, 10 Aug 2020 08:30:59 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=555578 The post Intrepid Travel runs first tour in over four months appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The trip is part of the newly launched product range called Intrepid Retreats

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While the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across the global travel industry, Intrepid Travel has officially departed on its first tour since March 2020. On 6 August, six travellers, all from the UK, departed from Athens on Intrepid Travel’s new five-day Greece retreat: Syros Island tour.

The trip is part of the newly launched product range called Intrepid Retreats. This new category is a first for the company, in which groups immerse themselves in one location, in handpicked accommodation ranging from small boutique properties to glamping, with nearby experiences. These retreats celebrate ‘slow travel’ and allow adventurers to engage with the surrounding communities away from the crowds and in a more controlled setting.

The Greece Retreat, which visits secluded beaches and offers a taste of local life, will operate under its new Safe Travels health protocols, developed in partnership with the WTTC. All travellers will complete a health questionnaire at the start of the trip and be required to wear masks in certain settings, in line with local laws and regulations. The group will be accompanied by a local leader who has received specific COVID-19 training, which covers hygiene, sanitation, physical distancing, PPE as well as supplier monitoring.

The trip visits one of Greece’s lesser known and visited islands, Syros, a destination reflective of Intrepid’ s commitment to rebuild responsibly. The itinerary has been designed to benefit local communities affected by the pandemic. For example, the group will have the chance to visit a local family-owned business to see how loukoumia (a Greek version of Turkish delight) is made and try Syrian dishes at a remote taverna in the hills overlooking the Aegean Sea.

“We all have a role to play in a more equitable future for the travel industry. For us, overtourism is one issue we are closely watching. The fact our first trip is to Syros, and not somewhere like Santorini, shows our commitment to combatting mass tourism,” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel.

Intrepid ran its second tour on 7 August, the four-day Cycle the Peak District, another new product developed in response to the global pandemic. “For over 30 years we have built a business on providing sustainable and innovative experiences. These new departures were developed in direct response to COVID to help travellers continue to explore safely and with peace of mind,” Thornton added.

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Sri Lanka and Grenada new entrants in WTTC Safe Travels stamp for safety protocols https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/sri-lanka-and-grenada-new-entrants-in-wttc-safe-travels-stamp-for-safety-protocols/ Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:00:45 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=555559 The post Sri Lanka and Grenada new entrants in WTTC Safe Travels stamp for safety protocols appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Sri Lanka and Grenada are among the latest destinations to begin using the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp

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Popular holiday destinations Sri Lanka and Grenada, are among the latest destinations to begin using the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The growing list of endorsements have come from many major holiday and city destinations around the world, with the holiday destinations of Sri Lanka and Grenada joining other summer sun destinations such as the ever-popular Alicante and Benidorm in Spain.

Eswatini, the popular wildlife and safari destination in Southern Africa, joins a growing list of African nations to adopt ‘Safe Travels’, including Rwanda and Tanzania. WTTC created the Safe Travels stamp to allow travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “Our Safe Travels stamp continues to be a great success and we are thrilled to see even more popular countries and destinations adopt our global health and hygiene protocols. The stamp has had astounding success since its launch. This shows the importance of the initiative not only to countries and destinations, but also, crucially, to travellers and the 330 million people around the world whose livelihoods depend on the travel and tourism sector.”

Since the launch of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, destination countries and cities, around the world have now adopted WTTC’s new protocols, including holiday heavyweights such as Portugal, Dubai, Egypt and Turkey. As part of its Safe Travels protocols, these worldwide measures provide consistency and guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world.

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Costa Rica re-opens borders to UK travellers from 1 Aug https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/costa-rica-re-opens-borders-to-uk-travellers-from-1-aug/ Thu, 30 Jul 2020 05:24:43 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=554222 The post Costa Rica re-opens borders to UK travellers from 1 Aug appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Costa Rica is re-opening its borders to UK travellers from August 2020, following their nearly four-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic

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The post Costa Rica re-opens borders to UK travellers from 1 Aug appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Costa Rica is re-opening its borders to UK travellers from 1 August 2020, following their nearly four-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK has been included in Costa Rica’s list of low-risk countries together with Canada and those nations from the EU and Schengen area.

A gradual revival of the tourism industry and safeguarding sanitary measures is the objective of the phased re-opening to international commercial flights. Costa Rica’s new tourism minister, Gustavo Segura, said: “We expect to receive fewer than five commercial flights per week at the outset. However, these are drops of hope for more than 600,000 people who directly or indirectly depend on the tourism industry.”

To allow visitors to enter Costa Rica, a negative result of the PCR Covid-19 test will be mandatory in the 48 hours prior to the trip. On arrival, visitors will need to complete a digital epidemiological form and purchase travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses for acute illness. Costa Rica’s two international airports, Juan Santamaría in San José and Daniel Oduber in Liberia, have also added new health measures for all passengers arriving into the country.

Its sector-wide recovery efforts – including the 16 health protocols that the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) recently launched – have just been recognised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The organisation has given Costa Rica its Safe Travels stamp – the world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp – which allows travellers to identify destinations and businesses which have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols. WTTC’s Safe Travels scheme is supported by World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The country received 78,562 visitors from the UK in 2019.

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WTTC unveils insurance guidelines for travellers in ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-unveils-insurance-guidelines-for-travellers-in-new-normal-of-covid-19-world/ Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:00:26 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=554136 The post WTTC unveils insurance guidelines for travellers in ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

WTTC has unveiled its Insurance Guidelines to rebuild global consumer confidence to help encourage the return of travelling

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The post WTTC unveils insurance guidelines for travellers in ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its Insurance Guidelines to rebuild global consumer confidence to help encourage the return of travelling. The guidelines are designed to drive the return of safe, healthy and responsible travel and ensure the insurance sector is fit for purpose to operate for travellers in the ‘new normal’ of the COVID-19 world.

Insurance is a vital part of the travel experience, providing peace of mind and risk mitigation to consumers, suppliers, and organisations across the travel and tourism sector.

These new guidelines were compiled based on input from leading companies, many of which have partnered with trusted experts in public health and governments to support safe, healthy, and responsible travels. The guidelines aim to promote consistent standards across all relevant functions with an increased focus on health and safety, in line with what travellers need and expect.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “Insurance is vital for travellers to have peace of mind and confidence to travel and it is now more important than ever to create confidence for consumers travelling in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19. We have worked closely with key players across the travel insurance industry to make recommendations to ensure individual travellers, groups and organisations can feel safe and confident enough to travel, sure in the knowledge they have the protection they need.”

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; ensuring a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; innovation; and implementing enabling policies.

Highlights of recommendations launched on 28 July include:

  • All organisations to provide risk management plans, including how they aim to combat COVID-19, to insurers
  • Organisations to make sure their plans are thorough, practical, and simple to follow
  • All staff to be informed of protective measures being taken, which include insurance products that will cover them
  • Insurers to ensure audits identify and plug gaps in and source the right partners and providers to ensure appropriate coverage
  • Insurers to create blanket insurance and crisis management coverage to give comfort to customers
  • Ensure there is enhanced awareness of the terms and conditions, restrictions, and coverage limits of insurance products/policies
  • Insurers to provide a minimum base of mandatory coverage for risks posed by COVID-19
  • Educate travellers who are unfamiliar with the risk they could be exposed to and what coverage to look for.

WTTC recently unveiled its Safe Travels protocols for hospitality, outdoor retail, airports, airlines, tour operators, convention centres, meetings and events, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.

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Travellers should ‘wear to care’ in the new normal: WTTC https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/travellers-should-wear-to-care-in-the-new-normal-wttc/ Fri, 10 Jul 2020 11:02:56 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=553382 The post Travellers should ‘wear to care’ in the new normal: WTTC appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon all travellers to don protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling. As countries transition from lockdowns to reopening their borders, the wearing of face masks helps signal the return of safer travels, while also providing personal protection […]

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The post Travellers should ‘wear to care’ in the new normal: WTTC appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon all travellers to don protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling. As countries transition from lockdowns to reopening their borders, the wearing of face masks helps signal the return of safer travels, while also providing personal protection for users as well as those around them.

The advice from WTTC in favour of mandatory mask wearing comes from evidence that countries which are recovering faster and avoid second COVID-19 spikes are those where the use of face masks have been widely enforced and encouraged.

Following medical guidance from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, WTTC advises the wearing of masks on all forms of transport throughout the entire traveller journey, as well as when visiting any interior venue or those with restricted movement which results in close personal contact of two metres or less.

WTTC has asked governments around the globe to enforce the wearing of face masks, as well as enlisting the support of the private sector to remind customers of their obligations to protect their health and that of fellow travellers.

Travellers around the world are being encouraged to join in the WTTC social media campaign which is launching with the hashtag #wear2care. Embracing the use of face masks will reduce the risk of transmission, protect the user and those around them, as well as reintroducing a sense of normality. as we learn to live with the virus until a vaccine is found.

The new recommendations follow in the wake of WTTC recently issuing its new guidelines for Safe & Seamless Travel including testing and tracing to ensure people can enjoy Safe Travels in the ‘new normal’.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “The safety and hygiene of travellers and those who work in Travel & Tourism is of paramount importance, which is why we now strongly recommend masks being mandatory. ‘Wear to care’ promotes the protection of face mask users and visibly shows they care about the welfare and safety of their fellow travellers, which will help save lives and encourage the return of Safe Travels.”

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WTTC gives global destinations stamp of approval for safety protocols https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-gives-global-destinations-stamp-of-approval-for-safety-protocols/ Tue, 09 Jun 2020 04:04:38 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=551849 The post WTTC gives global destinations stamp of approval for safety protocols appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Major destinations around the world have signed up to the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The extensive endorsements have come from many major holiday destinations around the world, from Bulgaria to Turkey and Jamaica to Mauritius, among many others. WTTC, which represents the […]

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The post WTTC gives global destinations stamp of approval for safety protocols appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

Major destinations around the world have signed up to the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The extensive endorsements have come from many major holiday destinations around the world, from Bulgaria to Turkey and Jamaica to Mauritius, among many others.

WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector, designed the special Safe Travels stamp to enable travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which adopted its health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers and holidaymakers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) also embraced the WTTC Safe Travels stamp, which have the safety and hygiene of travellers as their top priority. Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO said: “The number of global destinations adopting our private sector protocols is growing at a rapid pace and it’s hugely gratifying and shows the success and importance of the WTTC Safe Travels stamp.”

Since the launch last week of the Safe Travels stamp, Turkey, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Mauritius, Ontario (Canada), Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the Mexican destinations of Baja California Sur and Yucatan, have now adopted WTTC’s new protocols. Popular city destinations for holidaymakers which have also been given the WTTC Safe Travels stamp of approval include Barcelona, Cancun, Madrid and Seville.

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WTTC launches world’s first-ever global safety stamp https://dev.traveldailymedia.com/wttc-launches-worlds-first-ever-global-safety-stamp/ Thu, 28 May 2020 04:49:32 +0000 https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=551253 The post WTTC launches world’s first-ever global safety stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp. The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. The landmark move by WTTC, which represents […]

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The post WTTC launches world’s first-ever global safety stamp appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp. The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

The landmark move by WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism private sector, has also received the backing of the influential United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented. Destinations will also help to award the stamp of approval to local suppliers.

The launch of global protocols to boost the tourism sector have been embraced by over 200 CEOs including some of the world’s major tourism groups. Trip.com and Expedia have also supported WTTC’s initiative to reassure travellers and bring back confidence to travel.

Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC said: “We are excited that Saudi Arabia, which is Chair of the G20 tourism group, as well as popular destinations such as Cancun, one biggest destinations in the world, Portugal, one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe and the holiday cities of Barcelona and Seville, amongst others, are among the first destinations to back the stamp and implement global standard protocols to recover faster.”

Last week WTTC’s launched the first of range of new worldwide measures that were part of its Safe Travels protocols to rebuild consumer confidence and encourage the restoration of the global travel sector.

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