PH Secures Safe Travels Stamp

The Philippines is safe for travels, global agency World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) announced in this Philstar report. The country received the Safe Travels stamp, a recognition granted on destinations around the globe, which have enforced health and hygiene global standardized measures.

Calling the Philippines an “incredible destination” and “home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands,” WTTC welcomed the Philippines as the 100th destination in the list of safe travel hotspots.

The agency said that the 100 places identified are collaborating to restore travelers’ confidence.

Safe Travels Stamp

The world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp, the Safe Travels badge entered the tourism scene three months ago. WTTC introduced it to primarily inform travellers which places around the world are adopting health safety standards. 

At the same time, the stamp aims to help tourism establishments, especially the workers who rely on a dynamic travel sector. Industry players such as airports, hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, car rental providers, and outdoor shopping outlets can secure the stamp once they enforce WTTC’s health and hygiene protocols.

According to the global agency, popular holiday destinations, such as Maldives, Bermuda, Namibia, Uganda, and Montenegro are already using the Safe Travels stamp. 

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) supports the stamp’s launch.

Tourism Recovery

For its part, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said that it will continue to promote sustainability and safety in its initiatives related to the tourism sector’s pandemic recovery, as reported in this Facebook post.

Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the DOT has placed stringent policies in the accreditation of establishments. Mandating the Certificate of Authority to Operate, the office made sure that only those who went through inspection and assessment are allowed to resume business and welcome visitors.

According to Puyat, these initiatives compelled them to push through with the application for WTTC’s Safe Stamp.

Acknowledging the new recognition, the tourism chief is optimistic that the stamp will reassure guests that it is safe to travel in the country and rebuild confidence.

New Normal Policies

For the past months, the DOT has been issuing guidelines for specific tourism facilities returning to business amid the pandemic. Back in May, they had a memorandum outlining updated health and safety protocols in the operations of accommodation establishments. 

The policy covers guest handling, housekeeping, food and beverage services, and use of public areas. It also has provisions for hotel transport services and kitchen sanitation and disinfection, among other things.

On guest handling, accommodation operators must encourage visitors to accomplish a health declaration form (HDF) upon check-in, check body temperature using thermal scanners, and promote online payment for booking.

In June, the memorandum issued was for land transport service providers. Aside from the wearing of masks and enforcement of social distancing, operators must only allow two passengers per row in a van. For the driver’s row, only one rider must use the passenger’s seat and there must be a waterproof barrier between the driver and passenger.

In buses and coasters, operators should only have 50 percent of the vehicle’s total capacity. Riders should be one seat apart from each other, and no passenger should be standing.

In the same month, the department released guidelines for restaurants, urging business owners to install an alarm system that will remind workers to wash hands, among other things. The staff should likewise have adequate training and personal food safety apparel when handling food. 

On the part of the customers, as always, they should wear masks, answer HDFs, and go through temperature inspections. 

The guidelines also include setting up pick-up zones for customers, rearranging table and seating layout, and taking orders and payments.

Protocols for MICE and Beaches

Meanwhile in July, the tourism department focused on policies for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) operations, as reported by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). 

The office prohibits any physical event in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and general community quarantine (GCQ). 

Only locals belonging to areas under modified general community quarantine (MGQC) can join a MICE event. The number of participants will be up to only 50 percent, which already includes the suppliers, exhibitors, and venue operators.

This month, the DOT issued protocols for beach and island operations, CNN Philippines reported. Among the guidelines, visitors staying at the destination for at least one night must show a confirmed booking at a DOT-accredited accommodation. 

Tourists can enjoy swimming, surfing, and other outdoor ‘non-contact’ physical activities, as long as they observe minimum health standards.

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Article and Photo originally posted by Lamudi last September 25, 2020.

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