WTTC releases ‘Safe Travels’ protocols for adventure travel

Group of mountaineers walking trough the mountains covered with snow.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released the latest phase of its health and safety protocols, this time for the adventure tourism space.

A sector that is expected to see an increase in popularity as travellers seek more unique experiences post-COVID-19, adventure travel has received the WTTC treatment, with the peak tourism body outlining ‘Safe Travels’ protocols for its reopening.

The measures announced by the council for the sector include reducing participant capacity limits for activities “as appropriate” to allow for physical distancing, and ensuring activity difficulty levels do not exceed guest ability and skill, thus decreasing the need for a possible rescue.

Further measures include providing clear, consistent and up-to-date communication on new health and hygiene protocols through organisations’ channels, both digitally and physically.

Alongside these are recommendations to promote contact tracing apps, if required by local legislation, informing guests about support available if questions or concerns arise, and sharing guest guidelines on the basis of advice from health authorities. This may include the wearing of face masks or coverings, and guidance on hand hygiene and avoiding physical contact,

See more: WTTC creates first-ever global safety stamp for travellers

The protocols were compiled on the basis of the expertise of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), in collaboration with a number of key tour operators in the segment to support the safe, healthy and responsible restart of adventure tourism around the world.

These include the likes of Abercrombie & Kent, Eurotur, Intrepid Travel and The Travel Corporation, with news of the tour operators’ involvement coming off the back of the Council of Australian Tour Operators’ endorsement of the Safe Travels protocols.

The Safe Travels system is also backed by peak industry bodies, including the World Tourism Organization, and takes account of guidelines prepared by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the WTTC, the measures help to set “clear expectations of what travellers can experience” after the coronavirus pandemic, providing safe environments as restrictions are eased.

The release of the council’s protocols for the adventure travel sector follows similar measures being issued aviation, tour operators, convention centres, meetings and events, and hospitality.

To check out the full suite of Safe Travels protocols for the adventure travel sector, click here.


Featured image source: iStock/Georgijevic

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