#SafeTravels: Global Protocols & Stamp for the New Normal
“It is an honour to have our State included in the list of destinations using the Safe Travels stamp; we are hugely supportive of the global protocols as the health and safety of our travellers is our priority. The tourism destinations within our state are ready to receive travellers with open arms and to contribute to the reactivation of the sector in the country.”
Carlos Mendoza Davis
Governor of the State , Baja California Sur
“Bermuda’s track record on public health is clear. Shortly after the pandemic began, our small country quickly became one of the best performing destinations in the world for COVID-19 testing per capita and one of the most successful at controlling the virus. Since reopening safely and responsibly to tourism in early July, Bermuda instituted a stringent testing protocol—probably the most rigorous anywhere— to keep travellers and our precious island community safe. The WTTC global stamp is third-party confirmation that what we’re doing out here is not only working, but also recognised by our peers. We believe the Safe Travels seal is a calling card to visitors, letting them know from pre-arrival to departure, from ground transportation to dining, that every inch of the Bermuda travel experience is protected. Our meticulous protocols are designed to keep guests and the people who serve them safe, while simultaneously making travel here more frictionless and enjoyable than most thought imaginable.”
Glenn Jones
Interim CEO & Chief Experience Development Office, Bermuda Tourism Authority
“For the Costa Rican Tourism Institute it is a source of tremendous pride to be recognized by the World Travel & Tourism Council as a safe destination following review of 16 health and hygiene protocols, which were jointly developed by the public and private sector. We are committed to our tourists and eager that they can travel safely. This recognition, in addition, reinforces the international image of Costa Rica as a tourist destination, which fortunately is robust.”
Gustavo J. Segura
Minister of Tourism, Costa Rica
“Dominica is proud to join the growing number of tourism partners who have embraced the WTTC’s Safe Travels stamp. This is a clear demonstration of our stance with our network locally, regionally and internationally, to ensure that the tourism industry thrives while the requisite health and safety protocols are implemented to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This links in perfectly with our Safe in Nature experience offered to visitors which provides an enjoyable and unforgettable managed experience adhering to all health and safety protocols. We are confident that the complementary Safe Travels stamp will provide the impetus to drive Dominica’s tourism while assuring visitors that they can discover the many wonders of Nature’s Isle safely.”
Honourable Denise Charles
Minister for Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives, Dominica
“Since the break of the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has been firmly committed to reestablish its tourism industry, developing safety protocols to guarantee the safety of all our visitors. As part of this commitment, our public and private sectors have also been working hand in hand to align our protocols with the standards developed by the WTTC, obtaining the #SafeTravels seal. This is a great way to boost confidence and promote the prompt recovery of one of the main productive industries in our country. Our government, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, congratulates the WTIC for instituting this great initiative which will allow the travel and tourism industry to unify around the same global health and safety guidelines to protect travelers on their trips and help the world adapt to this new reality. Ensuring the collective participation and compliance, will be crucial in facilitating the safe restart of leisure and business travel.”
David Collado
Minister Of Tourism, Dominican Republic
“The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp shows that Ecuador has made responsible and technical decisions to encourage travel, guaranteeing everyone’s health and well-being. I invite everyone to visit us and enjoy our Four Worlds, Andes, Amazon, Coast and the Galapagos Islands. Rest assured that in these and all other spots, we are looking after your well-being and minimising risks of transmission.”
Rosi Prado de Holguín
Minister of Tourism, Ecuador
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador led the development of eight biosecurity protocols for the entire Tourism Industry and the Safe Travels stamp recognises the work of our Government and gives a message of confidence to all travellers who decide to come again or visit our country for the first time. Together with our National Seal for the Verification of Biosafety Protocols in Tourism, the WTTC Safe Travels stamp supports El Salvador’s commitment to offer a tourist operation in line with the expectations of the new normal. Tourism is the industry that allows us to move around the world and we are focused on offering visitors the best destination experience, but above all, safe. I invite you to cross borders and discover that El Salvador is an ideal place to visit, establish tourist operations, do business and live.”
Morena Valdez
Minister of Tourism, El Salvador
“Florianopolis is the Brazilian capital with the best results on fighting COVID -19. All the work and precautions taken, turned Florianopolis an even more secure destination for its citizens and tourists. We are happy to welcome WTTC Safe Travels, and we are aware that this deal is an important step to strengthen and promote tourism in a safe manner, which has been greatly affected worldwide.”
Gean Loureiro
Mayor, Florianópolis
“As a tri-island destination, Grenada was able to close its borders and implement proactive measures to keep the islands’ residents and visitors safe following the announcement of the Coronavirus pandemic. Since then the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Health have collaborated and produced health protocols for the Tourism Industry as well as the entry requirements to the country. It is obligatory that Tourism personnel participate in the Infection Control Training and all Tourism enterprises must be inspected and certified in the new protocols. The Grenada Tourism Authority has a Pure Safe Travel approved seal to be issued to stakeholders on the completion of the new requirements. We are delighted that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has accepted our protocols and that they are of a global standard. This is an important message to share with our visitors as we resume commercial flights to the Maurice Bishop International Airport. We will use the Safe Travels stamp to showcase to the world that we are aligned with the WTTC Safe Travels protocols.”
Dr. Clarice Modeste Curwen
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Grenada
“Nicaragua promotes a Responsible, Sustainable, Inclusive and Accessible Tourism for all; having the Human Being as the center of our policies and strategies. Our priority is the health and well-being of our visitors and our people. That is why we are honored to have received the Safe Travels stamp, demonstrating the alignment of our Biosecurity Protocols for the Tourism Sector with the global standards of the WTTC, to regain the trust of our visitors and offer them authentic and unforgettable experiences. The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes is a non-massive tourist destination, which enchants and captivates its visitors for its originality and authenticity. Full of exuberant natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, virgin beaches in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colonial Cities and spectacular landscapes; that along with its lively culture and warm, friendly and hospitable people is ready to welcome you with a big smile and open arms in our Nicaragua, Unique and Original, in this new normal.”
Anasha Campbell
Ministra de Turismo, Nicaragua
“We’ve been working to align Ontario’s tourism business protocols with the global standards, and welcome the opportunity to join this global campaign. A global approach to a seamless travel experience is essential to recovery. The Safe Travels stamp will be a great way to provide that signal of trust with our future guests.”
Beth Potter
President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
“For us as the Hub of the Americas, restoring confidence for travellers and tourists, will be a key factor for the reactivation of our industry and our economy. The #SafeTravels stamp is a great way of building trust, aligning the protocols we have developed with our Ministry of Health with WTTC standards, so that travellers can have a safe journey through our country.”
Iván Eskildsen
Minister of Tourism, Panama
“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 May 4. Today, we are proud to join WTTC’s Safe Travels global protocols and stamp program. Operating guides and certification programs such as these are vital for the reopening of the travel and tourism sector at both a global and regional level, as well as an important recognition that will place Puerto Rico in a highly competitive position as the travel and tourism market reopens. As a destination, we acknowledged early on that consumers will consider the destinations best prepared to provide them with the necessary measures and resources to protect their health and our destination-wide program was developed using the most rigorous standards, best practice cases, as well as guides and recommendations from the agencies and organizations that specialize on the subject. Ensuring collective participation and compliance of the recommended protocols, both by companies and customers, will be key in facilitating the safe restart of leisure and business travelling”.
Carla Campos
Executive Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s (Government of Puerto Rico)
“The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) represents a regional destination in British Columbia, Canada, comprising 90 communities and over 4000 tourism industry stakeholders. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we are ensuring that health and safety continues to be of the highest priority. TOTA received the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Award in 2018 and we are proud to align with the Safe Travels initiative. In partnership with the British Columbia Tourism Resiliency Network, TOTA is providing tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, understand the relief programs and reopening protocols, and work towards eventual recovery and long-term resiliency. Our goal is to strengthen the support we offer our stakeholders now and in the future and to reinstill confidence and rebuild trust. TOTA will continue to follow our regional pledge, “Seven Affirmations for Seven Generations”, drawing on Indigenous values as the guiding principles for realizing sustainable tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region.”
Glenn Mandziuk
President & CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
“The WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognizes Tobago as a “safe destination” and is tremendously important for us as a destination promoting the island to potential visitors. Health and safety are the most important concerns for visitors at this time and it certainly endorses our efforts and gives us a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
Louis Lewis
“I am pleased and likewise honored that the Turks and Caicos Islands are among one of the destinations to attain the World Travel & Tourism Councils Safe Travels stamp. This stamp along with our own TCI Assured Program are a testament to our commitment to the safety, well-being and security of our visitors. We continue to work closely with health officials and our tourism partners throughout the sector to develop a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols in light of COVID19 in an effort to restore confidence among travelers. We will proudly display our stamp, a signal of our efforts to ensure the sustainability of our key industry as we continue to meet and gain global standards.”
Hon. Ralph L. Higgs
Minister of Tourism, Environment, Heritage, Maritime, Gaming & Disaster Management, Turks and Caicos Islands
“The stamp, like most highly creative solutions, is a simple, effective and timely tool for the tourism sector. At a time of global insecurity and stress, the stamp builds confidence with travelers as well as with hosting destinations. Hundreds of millions of people around the world will again look forward to enjoying the incalculable benefits of travel and immersing themselves in the recuperative waters, air and environment of our pristine Caribbean.”
Joseph Boschulte
Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands
“Yucatán is an example when it comes to security and best practices, we are now looking to become that example in terms of biosecurity for tourism. We are delighted to be recognised with the Safe travels stamp from WTTC.”
Mauricio Vila
Governor, Yucatan
“Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean have implemented the new safety measures for travellers that WTTC has recognised and approved through the Safe Travels stamp.”
Carlos Joaquín
Governor, Quintana Roo
“The world is adapting at a rapid pace as it pertains to having a “new normal”. Tourism as we know it has come to a sudden stop. Aruba is rising to the occasion and joining in the effort and evolving as a tourism destination to be better equipped to continue to serve both visitors and locals. Prior to the announcement of re-opening borders, Aruba has been collaborating closely with its business community to proactively and jointly elevate the sanitation and health standards expected of our destination. International collaboration will accordingly fortify the consistent approach we need to implement on the rocky road to recovery, and we believe the WTTC protocols/ stamp will assist in the necessary global consistency. The Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), the Destination Marketing and Management Organization, created, in collaboration with the department of health and all tourism partners/ stakeholders, the Aruba Health & Happiness Code (HH Code) – which includes the different (service) providers visitors may encounter during their visit, as such covering the entire supply chain of possible tourism touch points. We wholeheartedly believe this is the sensible step to reassuring visitors that everyone’s health and safety are Aruba’s priority when offering our warm hospitality.”
Ronella Tjin Asjoe – Croes
“Belize is delighted to be recognized through the WTTC’s Safe Travels stamp. Following the devastating effects of the COVID pandemic, my country’s highest priority has been and remains the health and safety of our guests. Within this context, we have implemented extensive health and safety protocols as part of a Gold Standard Recognition Program for accommodations, tour operators and other industry partners. The WTTC’s Stamp is a milestone achievement for Belize, and is truly a strong testament of Belize’s unwavering commitment to an environment which is safe, secure and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to our visitors!”
Hon. Anthony Mahler
Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Belize
“The island of Cozumel in Mexico already implements health security measures that generate confidence in travelers who come to its Caribbean beaches. Today Cozumel is a reliable destination in Mexico, committed to the health security of it’s visitors and also to promoting tourism recovery in Mexico and the world. Cozumel has proven to be a safe destination. For more than 500 years, since the arrival of its first travelers from the old world, Cozumel has been an island full of hospitality, culture and natural beauties that make all its visitors return to their beaches. In addition to its friendly people and underwater treasures, today Cozumel also offers a health protection plan within all local businesses. More than 600 companies from our island have already registered for the new certification in health protection and prevention in tourist facilities of the Q.Roo State Government, which follows the Safe Travels protocols of the WTTC. The reopening of Cozumel to tourism has already begun. Rest assured that we are working on the island to protect our health, our nature, our culture and continue offering our beautiful island to future generations of world travelers.”
Pedro Joaquin Delbouis
Mayor of Cozumel Island, México
“In a world which has redefined “normal”, health, hygiene, safety and security are now our tourism wealth. Trust and confidence are critical components for the building of a successful and sustainable tourism sector. Being awarded the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp designation reinforces our destination’s firm commitment to providing unique, authentic tourism experiences within well-mapped health and safety processes. We are eager to continue our integrated approach of working closely with our public and private sector tourism and health partners to share our distinctive offerings to the global market. We warmly welcome the world to #visttrinidad!”
Heidi Alert
