The next time you travel you will undoubtedly have concerns regarding the safety and hygiene maintained by the restaurants, hotels and airlines on your itinerary. To address this concern, the World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC) imposed a set of protocols for industries associated with the travel and tourism sector. Travellers can then take informed decisions on the basis of the health and safety protocols maintained by the hotels, airlines, travel buses, restaurants or shopping centres. Governments and companies that adopt hygiene protocols of the WTTC’s Global Safety Stamp can be easily recognized by travellers and they can have ‘Safe Travels’. The Indian travel industry can now also apply for the Global Safety Stamps.
WTTC Global Safety Stamps To Help Travellers Recognize Hygiene Maintained By Travel Industry
WTTC has shared a set of global protocols which were issued by the WHO to be followed by at least eleven industries closely associated with travel. The objective behind this is to ensure the safety of all travellers and workforce by facilitating the private sector into following common rules, thereby moving towards a new normal. The Global Safety Stamp specifically devised by WTTC facilitates governments and companies to adopt the prescribed hygiene protocols, which can be easily recognized by travellers.
Also Read: Air Travel Is Still The Safest Way To Travel: Vistara CCO
Indian Organizations Related To Travel Industry Can Apply For These Stamps Online
A Communications Consultant at WTTC, Jamie Wortley states to Lonely Planet India that the hygiene protocol were brought together in close consultation with their member companies. He also states that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) backed the protocols and Safe Travels stamp. He commented on the arrival of the safe stamp in India. Wortley reveals that WTTC has many Indian members closely working with WTTC India. When it comes to food safety, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra ranked on the top for the year 2019-20
Regulation Of Street Food In India Under WHO Hygiene Standards Pose A Challenge
Indian organizations can apply for the ‘safe-stamp’. This is available for free online. The Indian organizations can then apply and integrate based on the like-minded protocols. However street food culture and regulation of street food vendors under these protocols pose a challenge. Earlier, National Association of Street Vendors of India gave street vendors an e-training on hygiene and safety measures.
Wortley states that they need to “need to ensure operational and staff preparedness, consider how to deliver a safe experience and work to rebuild trust and confidence. In this context, street food and open markets will not only need to enhance their health, hygiene, and distancing protocols but also communicate the changes to consumers to make them feel safe.” The Global Safety Stamp is the first fits kind. It ensures safety for travellers across the travel industry. Apart from this travellers can also use Google Maps to know about travel-related coronavirus restrictions across the globe.