WTTC unveils protocols for attractions, car rentals, and short-term rentals

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travel.

The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, boost business for car rental companies, and allow short-term rentals to start welcoming guests.

The WTTC, which represents the global private travel and tourism sector, held detailed discussions with key stakeholders and organizations to ensure maximum acceptance, alignment and practical implementation.

The measures help establish clear expectations of what travelers can experience in the “new normal” offered by safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the WTTC protocols also take into account the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the WTTC Safe Travels seal recognizes destinations, countries, companies and governments around the world that have adopted them.

Safe Travel protocols also take into account the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the WTTC Safe Travels seal recognizes those destinations, countries, companies and governments around the world that have adopted them.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC said: “Global attractions, car rental and short-term rentals are key components of many family vacations, so it is vital that we establish measures that allow safe travel for tourists and Travellers”.

Gloria Guevara assured that consumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in which travel and tourism can resume. “We know that travelers will want to explore and interact with the world around them once again, and their return will also help drive the much-needed economic recovery in the world,” she said.

In addition, Guevara recognized all those global private sector companies that have stepped forward and come together to support WTTC Safe Travels protocols, as they create the consistency necessary to allow a revitalized travel and tourism sector to reopen. .

“The experience of large and small companies has helped define the new experience for travelers, and these robust global measures have been taken around the world,” she added.

Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb said:
“The desire to travel is deeply rooted in humanity. The industry will recover and is critical to supporting the social and economic recovery of communities. Airbnb appreciates the WTTC’s work in creating health and safety protocols that protect communities and support government efforts to reopen economies. “

The well-being of travelers and the millions of people employed throughout the Travel and Tourism sector is the guiding axis of the comprehensive package of safe travel protocols of WTTC, this in order to avoid the appearance of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and would delay the recovery of the sector.

They also provide consistency to destinations and countries, as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators and travelers, on the new approach to health and hygiene in the post-COVID-19 world.

The protocols for the amusement industry were compiled based on ideas and frameworks developed by the Global Association for the Amusement Industry (IAAPA) to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of attractions around the world.

The measures increase the focus on health, safety, and physical distance standards for places like amusement parks, aquariums, family entertainment centers, museums, science centers, theme parks, water parks, zoos, and other cultural and entertainment attractions.

Car rental has become an essential provider of transportation and mobility during normal business hours for anyone who needs to travel, and in the post-COVID-19 world it could be vital for those providing critical services, including healthcare professionals, emergency services and public services. The proposed short-term rental protocols were designed for owners and operators.

WTTC consulted closely with leading companies and associations in the short-term rental industry. Many partnered with trusted public health experts and governments to support the safe, healthy and responsible reopening of this type of accommodation for travelers.

The WTTC divided the new orientation into four pillars, including operational and staff readiness; providing a safe experience; rebuild trust and confidence; and implement enabling policies.

The announced measures include:

Attractions
• Encourage guests to purchase advanced tickets online if possible, and considered scheduled tickets and smaller groups
• Identify realistic capabilities for attractions based on queue length, waiting areas, pre-shows, and vehicle capacity and adjust accordingly to allow for physical distance
• Use of virtual queuing systems, contactless contact points and payment when possible
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available to all personnel facing the client
• Improved cleaning at high frequency contact points, such as handrails, common areas, and elevators.
• Disinfect strollers, electric carts, and wheelchairs between each use, if applicable.
• Have hand sanitizers available in high traffic areas, such as entrances, key aisles, food and beverage locations, product stores, and exits.
• Consider increasing the number of performances and an end-of-show announcement to encourage guests to take their time out.
• For water parks, consider closing or removing practical interactive features within play structures if they are not covered with treated water
• Encourage guests to reduce the amount of personal items they bring to the venue

Car rental
• Pre-arrival health statement by email, if necessary and in accordance with the RGPD
• Improve the cleanliness of all offices, including check-in, counters, desks, bathrooms, and any high-frequency contact points.
• Encourage the use of pickup and delivery on the sidewalk. Consider moving to a fully digital process that includes payments and limits physical interaction with staff
• Health / temperature checks, if recommended by legislation, and sanitation stations for customers using hand sanitizers in high traffic areas
• Limit the number of people allowed to collect vehicles, as well as decrease the number of people allowed in the car rental establishment at any time
• All cars should be cleaned with a focus on high frequency contact points such as keys, steering wheels, steering column, gear stick, seats, seat pockets, seat belts, door handles, gearboxes, gearboxes of gloves, vents, key fobs, door interiors, areas between seats, dashboards, radio controls, center consoles, side mirrors and mirrors, cup holders and other surfaces.

Short term rentals
• Use of contactless technology to enable automation at check-in and payment when possible
• Minimize physical interaction when providing keys to guests, ideally contactless, offering self check-in and check-out, when possible
• Improve sanitation, disinfection and deep cleaning practices, as well as increase your cleaning / disinfection frequency with a focus on high-frequency contact points, including bedrooms, common areas, bathrooms and kitchens, including disinfection of cutlery and utensils .
• Provide guests with the physical distance tag, including in elevators, if applicable, by signage
• Make hand sanitizer available to guests at short-term rental entrance

WTTC has previously issued secure travel protocols for aviation, airlines, MICE, tour operators, hospitality, and outdoor retail, which were widely endorsed and endorsed by top CEOs and business leaders globally.

It has also unveiled its new global security seal to encourage safe travel and the reopening of the travel and tourism sector.

Major tourist destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Portugal, and Jamaica, among many others, have led the way in subscribing to the world’s first global safety and hygiene seal.

Evidence from the WTTC crisis preparedness report, which analyzed 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities exist to enable a more resilient travel and tourism sector.

According to the 2020 WTTC Economic Impact Report, in 2019 Travel and Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million in total), making a contribution of 10.3% to world GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.