Puerto Rico added to WTTC’s Safe Travels list
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Puerto Rico as one of its certified Safe Travel destinations – along with over 100 others
A marker signifying that a region is safe for tourists to visit, the WTTC’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp is a global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism, designed specifically to address Covid-19 and similar outbreaks, the WTTC explains. It is now being used by over 100 destinations around the world. The most recent to adopt the certification are Peru, Bahamas and Puerto Rico.
“Puerto Rico was one of the first destinations in the Western Hemisphere to design and implement an industry-specific safety and health programme for the entire destination with the creation of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Gold Star Health and Safety Seal Certification back on 4 May [2020],” Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Carla Campos said. “Today, we are proud to join WTTC’s Safe Travels global protocols and stamp programme.”
Increased adoption of the stamp key to rebuilding traveller confidence
WTTC President Gloria Guevara noted that over 120 destinations worldwide now use the stamp: “All of which are working together to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.”
She continued: “As the stamp continues to grow in popularity, travellers will more easily be able to recognise the destinations worldwide that have adopted these important global protocols, encouraging the return of ‘Safe Travels’ around the world.”
Travel insurance a key facet of the safe travel experience
While health and safety protocols are integral to public safety, and therefore a key part of the safe travel experience, varying and changing governmental guidelines on travel to certain destinations will likely still hinder the restoration of traveller confidence.
As WTTC writes on its Safe Travels resource: “Ultimately, we envision a future of travel which is safe, secure, seamless and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the traveller across the journey; one which supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes to sustainable economic growth.”
ITIJ is certain that travel insurance falls into this bracket. Financial and medical security, such as that which insurance provides – especially at a time when people and businesses are facing great economic loss – must surely be another key component in restoring traveller confidence. And many international insurers have now expanded their offerings to help cover Covid-19-related medical issues, among them ChangiAssure, Allied Insurance and Goose Insurance. Updated offerings from travel insurers are playing an important part in reviving traveller confidence.