The Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) is pleased to announce that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognized The Islands Of The Bahamas as a Safe Travels destination for having met its enhanced health and safety standards in line with its global Safe Travels Protocols.

Having developed these protocols specifically to rebuild the traveler’s confidence and to ensure that there is a coordinated public and private sector approach to the recovery efforts of the global tourism industry, the WTTC awarded The Bahamas the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp.

It is the World’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel and Tourism, especially designed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and for other similar outbreaks. The Bahamas, through the TDC, will accrue both benefits and responsibilities as a user of the Safe Travels stamp to maximize its positive impacts.

“It is proving a great success, demonstrating its importance not only to destinations and businesses, but also to travellers and the hundreds of millions of people around the world who work in, and depend on, the Travel & Tourism sector,” stated Gloria Guevera, President and CEO of the WTTC.

“More than 40 countries and 10 sub-regions are already utilizing the stamp as part of their re-launching strategies of their Tourism industries.”

The Safe Travels Protocols take WHO and CDC guidelines into account and are based on self-assessment of the protocols that are implemented in compliance with the Safe Travels Protocols for every aspect of the Industry, with guidelines established for airlines in conjunction with ICAO ‘s guidelines during Covid 19. “The return of the visitor’s confidence to travel to revitalize the economy of The Bahamas is crucial to the well-being of our people and country and as such, the Safe Travels Stamp will allow those travelling to regain the necessary confidence and comfort as global standards are being met on each of the islands, as restrictions are gradually lifted,” said Janet Johnson, CEO of the TDC.

The TDC will be communicating with all stakeholders in The Bahamas as to the benefits and responsibilities for every tourism-related business which is given the stamp of approval for its implementation of the Safe Travels protocols and ongoing compliance.

Guidelines and protocols for what WTTC calls the “New Normal” have been developed for every sector of Hospitality and Tourism from Airports, Cruiseports, Attractions, Restaurants, Tours, Convention Centres, Car Rental Companies etc.. “When the visitor and also resident sees the Safe Travels stamp at a tourism-related business anywhere in The Bahamas, they will have the comfort level to feel safe and enjoy the destination and the particular experience, knowing that global standards have been met and appropriate protocols implemented, “said Minister of Tourism, Dionisio D’Aguilar.

“The TDC has been authorized to ensure that every establishment in The Bahamas wishing to display the WTTC’s Safe Travels Stamp has met the programme’s guidelines and standards prior to receiving the stamp.”

“It is really gratifying to note that our implemented protocols and measures as part of the Tourism Readiness and Recovery plan, and the Sustainable Tourism Seal of Approval programme developed in conjunction with the IDB, have met the enhanced standards of the WTTC and enabled our designation as a Safe Travels Destination, “ he continued.

The WTTC’s Safe Travels Stamp will develop the instant recognition required to instill immediate confidence that safety measures have been taken for both resident and visitor alike