{"id":1209,"date":"2020-06-26T07:27:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-26T07:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcommunication.net\/?p=25837"},"modified":"2020-07-21T02:05:20","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T02:05:20","slug":"wttc-launches-safe-travels-protocols-for-attractions-car-hire-short-term-rental","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/global-travel-news\/wttc-launches-safe-travels-protocols-for-attractions-car-hire-short-term-rental\/","title":{"rendered":"WTTC Launches Safe Travels Protocols for Attractions, Car Hire & Short-Term Rental"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\"WTTC<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n

London, United Kingdom, June 25, 2020 \/ travelindex.com<\/a> \/ The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travels.<\/p>\n

The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, drive business to car hire companies and enable short-term rentals to begin welcoming guest.<\/p>\n

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, held detailed discussions with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation.<\/p>\n

The measures help to set clear expectations of what travellers can experience in the \u2018new normal\u2019 which offer safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.<\/p>\n

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 WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognises those destinations, countries, businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them.<\/p>\n

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: \u201cWorldwide attractions, car hire and short-term rentals, are all represent key components of many family holidays, so it\u2019s vital we establish measures which allow safe travels to take place for holidaymakers and travellers.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cConsumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in which Travel & Tourism can resume. We know travellers will want to explore and engage with the world around them once more and their return will also help power the world\u2019s much-needed economic recovery.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to pay tribute to all those companies in the global private sector who have stepped forward and rallied around to support WTTC Safe Travels protocols. They create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated Travel & Tourism sector to re-open for business.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe expertise from businesses large and small has contributed to define the new experience for travellers and these robust global measures have been embraced around the world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe desire to travel is deeply rooted in humanity. The industry will rebound and is critical to supporting the social and economic recovery of communities. Airbnb welcomes the WTTC\u2019s work to create health and safety protocols that protect communities and support governmental efforts to reopen economies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Enrique Ybarra, Founder, President and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide said:<\/p>\n

\u201cCOVID-19 has paralysed the travel industry and changed our way of living, however, it is encouraging to see that some countries are managing to reduce infection and contagion, allowing them to return to business. While we are slowly getting back to a \u201cnew normal\u201d, we cannot forget the virus is still amongst us and all of us in the industry have to take the necessary measures to reduce the risk of contagion and make our customers feel safe. The Health and Safety Travel Protocols addressed by the WTTC are vital for the entire travel industry, as they will allow us to usher in an era of responsible tourism and allow people to resume discovering, exploring, and enjoying the world safely.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The welfare of travellers and the millions of people employed throughout the Travel & Tourism sector at the heart of WTTC\u2019s comprehensive package of Safe Travels protocols.<\/p>\n

They avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and delay the sector\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n

They also provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators, and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world.<\/p>\n

Protocols for the attractions industry were compiled on the basis of insights and frameworks developed by the Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA) to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of attractions around the world.<\/p>\n

The measures increase the focus on health, safety and physical distancing standards for venues such as amusement parks, aquariums, family entertainment centres, museums, science centres, theme parks, water parks, zoos and other entertainment and cultural attractions.<\/p>\n

Car hire has become an essential provider of transport and mobility during normal times for anyone who needs to travel, and in the post COVID-19 world could be vital for those who providing critical services, including healthcare professionals, emergency services and utilities.<\/p>\n

The proposed Short-Term Rental protocols were designed for owners and operators.<\/p>\n

Leading companies and associations in the Short-Term Rental industry were consulted closely by WTTC. Many partnered with trusted experts in public health and governments to support the safe, healthy, and responsible reopening of this type of accommodation to travellers.<\/p>\n

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; delivering a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; and implementing enabling policies.<\/p>\n

Measures announced today include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Attractions<\/strong>
\n\u2022\u00a0Encourage guests to buy advanced tickets online if possible, and considered timed entries and smaller groups
\n\u2022\u00a0Identify realistic capacities for attractions based on queue length, waiting areas, pre-shows and vehicle capacity and adjust accordingly to allow for physical distancing
\n\u2022\u00a0Use of virtual queue systems, contactless touchpoints and payment where possible
\n\u2022\u00a0Personal protection equipment (PPE) available for all customer-facing staff
\n\u2022\u00a0Enhanced cleaning at high-frequency touch points, such as handrails, common areas and lifts.
\n\u2022\u00a0Sanitize strollers, electric buggies and wheelchairs between every use if applicable
\n\u2022\u00a0Make available hand sanitisers in high-traffic areas such as entry, key walkways, food and beverage locations, merchandise shops and exits
\n\u2022\u00a0Consider increasing the number of performances and an end-of-show announcement to encourage guests to take their time exiting
\n\u2022\u00a0For water parks, evaluate closing or removing hands-on interactive features within play structures if they aren\u2019t covered in treated pool water
\n\u2022\u00a0Encourage guests to reduce the number of personal items they bring into the venue<\/p>\n

Car Rental<\/strong>
\n\u2022\u00a0Pre-arrival health declaration via email, if required and in accordance with GDPR
\n\u2022\u00a0Enhance cleaning to all offices, including check-in, counters, desktops, washrooms and any high-frequency touch points
\n\u2022\u00a0Encourage use of curb side pick-up and drop off. Consider moving to a fully digital process including payments and limit physical interaction with staff
\n\u2022\u00a0Health\/temperature checks, if recommended by legislation, and sanitation stations for customers through hand sanitisers in high-traffic areas
\n\u2022\u00a0Limit the number of people allowed per vehicle collection, as well as decreasing the number of people allowed in the car rental establishment at any one time
\n\u2022\u00a0All cars to be cleaned with a focus on high-frequency touch points such as keys, steering wheels, steering column, gear stick, seats, seat pockets, seat belts, door handles, gearboxes, gloveboxes, vents, key fobs, door interiors, areas between seats, dashboards, radio controls, centre consoles, rear view and side mirrors, cup holders and other surfaces.<\/p>\n

Short-Term Rentals<\/strong>
\n\u2022\u00a0Use of contactless technology to enable automation at check-in and payment where possible
\n\u2022\u00a0Minimise physical interaction when providing guests with keys, ideally in a contactless manner by offering self- check-in and check-out, where possible
\n\u2022\u00a0Enhance sanitation, disinfection and deep cleaning practices as well as increasing their cleaning\/disinfection frequency with a focus on high-frequency touch points, including bedrooms, common areas, washrooms and kitchens, including cutlery and utensil sanitisation
\n\u2022\u00a0Provide guests with physical distancing etiquette, including in elevators if relevant, through signage
\n\u2022\u00a0Make available hand sanitizer to guests at entrance of short-term rental
\nWTTC has previously issued details safe travel protocols for aviation, airlines, MICE, tour operators, hospitality and outdoor retail, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.<\/p>\n

It has also unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage Safe Travels and the reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector.<\/p>\n

Major tourist destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Portugal, Jamaica and Cancun and Los Cabos, among many others, have led the way to sign up to the world\u2019s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp.<\/p>\n

Evidence from WTTC\u2019s Crisis Readiness report<\/a>, which looked at 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities are in place to enable a more resilient Travel & Tourism sector.<\/p>\n

According to WTTC\u2019s 2020 Economic Impact Report<\/a>, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all n2ew jobs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

London, United Kingdom, June 25, 2020 \/ travelindex.com<\/a> \/ The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travels. The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-global-travel-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1209"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1209\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}