The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) released
guidelines for reopening the travel industry and called on the various sectors
to embrace one set of standards to expedite a recovery.  

“We have learned from the past, especially after the tragedy
of 9/11, where the lack of coordination among governments and with the private
sector caused long-lasting travel disruption, higher costs and a longer
recovery time,” stated WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara. 

WTTC released global protocols and measures titled “Safe
Travels” for the hotels/hospitality and retail sectors. It plans to release
guidelines for other sectors including aviation, cruise and tour operators in
the coming weeks.  

WTTC said the guidelines are designed to “rebuild confidence
among consumers so they can travel safely once the restrictions are lifted.” They
were drawn up by WTTC members following guidelines from the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). 

Chris Nassetta, WTTC chairman and Hilton CEO, said, “We know
that travelers will only venture out into the world again when they feel it is
safe to do so, making it critically important that we give them the confidence
and peace of mind they need.”

WTTC divided its guidance into five pillars: restarting
operations, ensuring a safe traveler experience, rebuilding trust and
confidence, innovation, and implementing enabling policies. 

Protocols for hotels/hospitality

• Revisit cleaning procedures with a
specific focus on high-frequency touch points such as room key cards.

• Ensure social distancing for guests
through signage and guidelines.

• Retrain staff in infection control,
social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures, including hand washing and the
use of masks and gloves.

• Integrate technologies to enable
automation, such as contactless payments where possible.

• Offer room service using no-contact
delivery methods.

• Have clear, consistent and enhanced
communication with customers on new health and hygiene safety protocols, both
digitally and physically at hotels.

• Reopen food and beverage outlets and
meeting and events spaces with actions to ensure social distancing,
disinfection and food safety. 

Retail protocols 

• Minimize touch points by introducing
digital maps, digital queue management, e-menus, virtual personal shopping and
roving concierges.

• Promote contactless payments and
email receipts wherever possible by providing complimentary WiFi.

• Observe social distancing in stores
through visual markers.

• Place hand sanitizers at shop
entrances and exits, as well as at intervals inside premises and in bathrooms.

• In cafes, restaurants and other food
outlets, make menus available digitally.

• Seating and queue management in line
with social-distancing requirements.

• Capacity limits should be introduced
in retail parking lots to prevent overcrowding.

• Train staff in the policies, including
social distancing, the use of thermal scanning and the wearing of face masks.

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