The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has awarded Cancun and the Riviera Maya with the very first certificates in the American Content as safe destinations. This certificate is the Safe Travels Global Safety Stamp, which signals governments and companies complying with health and hygiene standards. Institutions awarded the stamp ensure a safer experience for consumers and travelers in the context of a global pandemic.
The new safe travel protocols recently announced by the WTTC stem from a global consensus of higher authorities. They follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Apart from them, they also take influence from:
- The International Association of Air Transport (IATA), the
- ACI (the International Airports Council), and the
- International Association of Cruise Lines (CLIA).
In that sense, the Safe Travels Global Safety Stamp guarantees alignment throughout the whole Tourism sector.
The Seal in Quintana Roo
The Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquín celebrates “that the WTTC considered Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean safe destinations”. As a consequence, he pointed out that the economic recovery of Quintana Roo will get stronger. Being a safer place to travel, tourism will increase and there will be more job creation.
As a consequence of the seal, There will be more confidence in touristic places. This is, more trust in hotels, restaurants, airports, airplanes and cruises, among other tourism-related business. And that confidence is essential: Tourism in Quintana Roo represents about 45% of the regional GDP. For that matter, it is essential that we respect protocols, maintain hygienic and safe conditions, and provide a good experience.
After the Jornada de Sana Distancia, the 1st of June marked the beginning of the re-opening of the economy. Always with new protocols in place, authorities and companies are putting a great deal of effort on the reactivation. In words of the Governor, “The state authorities and tourism companies have worked closely to guarantee the safety of tourists”.
The WTTC, on the Safe Travels Global Safety Stamp
The President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Gloria Guevara, expressed in an interview her enthusiasm about Cancun and the Riviera Maya receiving the seal.
Gloria Guevara Manzo, president and CEO of the WTTC expressed her enthusiasm for Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean. It is fantastic news that they are the first American destinations to receive the seal. On its part, Cancun is part of the G20-Tourism, a world-class group of tourist destinations. Among the celebrated participants of the group there is Barcelona, Seville, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
The fight is not over
As we write this article, the COVID-19 pandemic is still a reality. In the words of the Governor of Quintana Roo: “We haven’t finished with hygiene and social distancing measures. We have not beaten Covid. There is no such situation”. The Government will pace the resuming of all activities with their “semáforo” (the risk color-coding for each region).
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In the future, authorities expect that Quintana Roo will soon change to orange. This is, conceding that everyone will maintain the preventive measures. In turn, the State Government is coordinating the Economic Reactivation Plan for Quintana Roo with the Federal Government.
