The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travels.
The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, drive business to car hire companies, and enable short-term rentals to begin welcoming guest.
The measures help to set clear expectations of what travelers can experience in the ‘new normal’ which offer safe environments as travel restrictions are eased.
“Worldwide attractions, car hire and short-term rentals, are all represent key components of many family holidays, so it’s vital we establish measures which allow safe travels to take place for holiday-makers and travelers,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO. “Consumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in which Travel & Tourism can resume. We know travelers will want to explore and engage with the world around them once more and their return will also help power the world’s much-needed economic recovery.
Protocols for the attractions industry were compiled on the basis of insights developed by the Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA) to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of attractions around the world.
The proposed Short-Term Rental protocols were designed for owners and operators.
WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; delivering a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; and implementing enabling policies. Measures announced today include:
1. Attractions
- Encourage guests to buy advanced tickets online if possible, and considered timed entries and smaller groups
- Identify realistic capacities for attractions based on queue length, waiting areas, pre-shows and vehicle capacity and adjust accordingly to allow for physical distancing
- Use of virtual queue systems, contact-less touch-points and payment where possible
- Personal protection equipment (PPE) available for all customer-facing staff
- Enhanced cleaning at high-frequency touch points, such as handrails, common areas and lifts.
- Sanitize strollers, electric buggies and wheelchairs between every use if applicable
- Make available hand sanitizers in high-traffic areas such as entry, key walkways, food and beverage locations, merchandise shops and exits
- Consider increasing the number of performances and an end-of-show announcement to encourage guests to take their time exiting
- For water parks, evaluate closing or removing hands-on interactive features within play structures if they aren’t covered in treated pool water
- Encourage guests to reduce the number of personal items they bring into the venue
2. Car Rental
- Pre-arrival health declaration via email, if required and in accordance with GDPR
- Enhance cleaning to all offices, including check-in, counters, desktops, washrooms and any high-frequency touch points
- Encourage use of curb side pick-up and drop off. Consider moving to a fully digital process including payments and limit physical interaction with staff
- Health/temperature checks, if recommended by legislation, and sanitation stations for customers through hand sanitizers in high-traffic areas
- Limit the number of people allowed per vehicle collection, as well as decreasing the number of people allowed in the car rental establishment at any one time
- All cars to be cleaned with a focus on high-frequency touch points such as keys, steering wheels, steering column, gear stick, seats, seat pockets, seat belts, door handles, gearboxes, glove-boxes, vents, key fobs, door interiors, areas between seats, dashboards, radio controls, centre consoles, rear view and side mirrors, cup holders and other surfaces.
3. Short-Term Rentals
- Use of contact-less technology to enable automation at check-in and payment where possible
- Minimize physical interaction when providing guests with keys, ideally in a contact-less manner by offering self- check-in and check-out, where possible
- Enhance sanitation, disinfection and deep cleaning practices as well as increasing their cleaning/disinfection frequency with a focus on high-frequency touch points, including bedrooms, common areas, washrooms and kitchens, including cutlery and utensil sanitization
- Provide guests with physical distancing etiquette, including in elevators if relevant, through signage
- Make available hand sanitizer to guests at entrance of short-term rental
