Tourism industry urged to get 'stamp of health' approval

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plett Tourism Association has urged local tourism establishments to get on board with the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) "safe travel stamp" initiative that allows travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world that have adopted global standardised health and hygiene protocols.

Plett Tourism acting chief executive Patty Butterworth explained that the WTTC, in conjunction with the South African tourism industry, has created a self-certified, specially designed "safe travel stamp" based on worldwide industry protocols for the hospitality and tourism sectors.

The Western Cape was recently awarded WTTC certification to recognise the province's towns and tourism community as compliant with internationally recognised safe travel protocols.

According to Butterworth, these protocols were developed by the WTTC as best-practice guidelines to help restart and speed up the recovery of the sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The global protocols are designed to help to rebuild confidence among travellers, and within the sector, so safe travel can resume once restrictions are eased. They provide consistency to destination authorities as well as guidance to travel providers, operators and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post-Covid-19 world."

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, said the global protocols were developed in collaboration with WTTC members, leading industry associations and international organisations, with the current guidelines of the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in mind.

Eligible companies such as accommodation establishments, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short-term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols outlined by WTTC have been implemented, said Butterworth.

"The Plett Tourism Association asks that local businesses read and print the protocols carefully and familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions, as well as your responsibilities and benefits.

"We encourage local businesses to use the stamp on websites, e-mail signatures and other communication published digitally or printed. It is important that we ensure alignment and profiling of our province as part of the #SafeTravels campaign."

This is the official stamp to be used by tourism establishments that follow global protocols in the wake of Covid-19.