WTTC issues safe travel guidelines for tourist attractions, car rentals

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released the third phase of its ‘Safe Travels’ measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence and reduce risk in the Covid-19 context. The latest focus covers the reopening of global attractions, holiday rentals and car hire companies.

Protocols for the attractions industry were compiled on the basis of insights and frameworks developed by the Global Association for the Attractions Industry. The measures increase the focus on health, safety and physical distancing standards for venues such as amusement parks, aquariums, family entertainment centres, museums, science centres, theme parks, water parks, zoos and other entertainment and cultural attractions.

Leading companies and associations in the holiday rental industry were consulted closely by WTTC. Many partnered with experts in public health and governments to support the safe and responsible reopening of accommodation.

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.

The organisation had previously issued detailed safe travel protocols for aviation, airlines, MICE, tour operators, hospitality and outdoor retail. Major tourist destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Portugal and Jamaica have led the way to sign up to the world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp.

WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara said: “Worldwide attractions, car hire and short-term rentals, all represent key components of many family holidays, so it’s vital we establish measures which allow safe travels to take place for holidaymakers and travellers. Consumer confidence is crucial to create a climate in which travel and tourism can resume. We know travellers 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.

Attractions

• Encourage guests to buy advance 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, contactless touchpoints 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 sanitisers 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

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 sanitisers 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, gloveboxes, vents, key fobs, door interiors, areas between seats, dashboards, radio controls, centre consoles, rear view and side mirrors, cup holders and other surfaces.

Short-Term Rentals

• Use of contactless technology to enable automation at check-in and payment where possible
• Minimise physical interaction when providing guests with keys, ideally in a contactless 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 sanitisation
• 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