What is the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp?

The World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels Stamp is the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp. It is a specially designed stamp which will allow travellers to recognise governments and businesses around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. 

The DOT’s Role as a Safe Travels Ambassador:

In  September 2020, the Philippines is the  100th  destination to be awarded the WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognizing the alignment of the country’s Health and Safety Guidelines for tourism-related sectors to that of the WTTC  and the emergence of destinations which are opening up for domestic tourists with no quarantine period.  

Following this, the Department of Tourism has been given the opportunity to assume the role of a Safe Travels Ambassador to the stakeholders, advocating the implementation of  the Safe Travels protocols and the uptake of the Safe Travels stamp to subsidiary public  sector authorities and/or private sector organization and ensure their ongoing compliance with the protocols and Terms & Conditions.   

Who may apply?  

Recognizing the alignment of the Philippine Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operations of Accommodation Establishments under the New Normal to that of the Council’s, the DOT shall roll-out the issuance of the stamp to interested and compliant accommodation establishments with DOT Accreditation.  

Moreover,  the stamp may likewise be issued  to  interested and compliant local destinations that  have  re-opened to tourists and are compliant with the protocol’s core requirements.  

Key Responsibilities:

Users  of  the  stamp  will  confirm  that  they  will  implement  and  will  ensure  ongoing compliance with the Safe Travels protocols as outlined in the WTTC Safe Travels Terms & Conditions and to carry out periodic checks of the Safe Travels protocols, to ensure the  destination / entities remain aligned with that of the council. It should be noted that the Safe Travels stamp is based on self-assessment and it is not a certification. 

Benefits of Stamp Receiver 

1.  Benefit  from  an  internationally  recognised  stamp,  developed  in  collaboration  with WTTC Members, leading industry associations & international organisations. In other words, your protocols are aligned with the global private sector. 

2.  Use the stamp as an important and powerful signal to travellers, workers and other  stakeholders in the sector that we have a consistent global approach. 

3.  Leverage the stamp to rebuild confidence among travellers, and within the sector, so “Safe travels” can be enjoyed as restrictions are eased. 

4.  Destination / Enterprise logo will be featured on WTTC webpage. 

5.  Added promotion of entities / destinations in the DOT and TPB respective websites  and social media platforms. 

Click to download World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp documentary requirements

For more information, check out: 'Safe Travels': Global Protocols & Stamp for the New Normal

Safe Travels Stamp Terms & Conditions 

Important, please read these Terms carefully before seeking compliance with the WTTC Safe Travel Protocols and displaying the Safe Travels Stamp. 

1. Parties 

I. The World Travel & Tourism Council Limited (company number 02506591) of the  Harlequin Building, 65 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HR (“WTTC”, “we”, “us” or  “our”), being the party offering the Protocols and Stamp for use by Organisations; and 

II. “Organisation”, “you” or “your”, being a WTTC member or non-member, including  public destination authorities (including national, regional and local tourism  administrations and organisations) and/or international and national-level Travel &  Tourism industry associations and/or companies (including an eligible business such as a  hotel, restaurant, airline, cruise line, tour operator, outdoor shopping venue, transportation  provider or airport) which have chosen to comply with the Protocols and to display the  Stamp. 

2. Definitions 

The following definitions apply in these Terms: 

I. “Protocols” means the WTTC Safe Travel Protocols, as may be amended from time to  time; and 

II. “Stamp” means the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp offered by WTTC for use on  Organisation websites, in marketing materials and other public facing materials.  

3. The Safe Travel Protocols 

WTTC has created and offers the Protocols in good faith for use by Organisations as they seek to  re-open during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

You acknowledge and agree that: 

I. Your use of the Protocols is entirely voluntary and that WTTC assumes no liability for  your use of the Protocols; 

II. You are solely responsible for deciding whether compliance with, and implementation  of, the Protocols is suitable for you and lawful in the jurisdiction in which you operate; 

III. The Protocols have not been approved or accredited by any governmental or regulatory  body and serve as a set of ‘best practices’ guidelines only, and that by offering the  Protocols for use by Organisations, WTTC is not providing an official certification or  accreditation system; 

IV. Use of the Protocols will be entirely at your own risk; 

V. Compliance with the Protocols may not result in a reduction of risk associated with the  spread of COVID-19; 

VI. WTTC does not warrant or represent that adherence to the Protocols guarantees the  safety of passengers, travellers, guests, customers, employees or other persons; 

VII. You are solely responsible for any losses suffered by yourself or any third-parties  where the Protocols are implemented; and

VIII. WTTC reserves the right to modify the Protocols and/or Stamp and issue revised  versions from time to time. Updated Protocols and Stamp will be found on the WTTC  website. You are solely responsible for revisiting the WTTC website, monitoring updates  to the Protocols and the Stamp and ensuring compliance with any updates made to the  Protocols and Stamp. WTTC is under no obligation to individually distribute updated  versions of the Protocols or Stamp to Organisations. 

4. The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp 

The Stamp seeks to provide consistency and reassurance for consumers to speed the Travel &  Tourism recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Subject to these Terms, Organisations may choose to display the Stamp in order to let consumers  know that their protocols are in alignment with the Protocols and that they have complied with  the Protocols relevant to their industry. 

5. Your Obligations 

Only those Organisations which have complied with the relevant Protocols applicable to their  industry in their entirety may display the Stamp on their websites, in marketing materials and  other public facing materials.  

An Organisation’s entitlement to display the Stamp shall cease to apply with immediate effect in  the event that the Organisation fails to comply with the relevant Protocols applicable to their  industry. 

You acknowledge and agree that: 

I. You will not display the Stamp unless you have ensured compliance with the relevant  Protocols applicable to your industry; 

II. Adhering to the Protocols is a requirement for your use of the Stamp, and that  displaying the Stamp without having ensured compliance with the relevant Protocols  appliable to your industry will be a breach of these Terms; 

III. Your use of the Stamp will be based upon an accurate and honest conclusion that your  Organisation is fully compliant with the Protocols relevant to your industry; 

IV. WTTC will not be responsible for assessing your initial or continued compliance with  the Protocols and use of the Stamp, and all liability for compliance with the Protocols and  any applicable laws, rules or regulator guidance will rest with you exclusively, and not  WTTC; 

V. You will comply with all local laws applicable to your Organisation and that where  your adherence to the Protocols and/or use of the Stamp would amount to a breach of local  laws, you will not make use of either; and 

VI. You will not make any derogatory statements about the Protocols, Stamp or WTTC, or  behave in any way that would damage WTTC’s reputation, or the reputation of the  Protocols or the Stamp. 

VII. Where you grant a sub-licence to a third party in accordance with Part VII of Section  6 of these Terms, you will be responsible for ensuring that the third party has itself also  ensured compliance with, and continues to ensure compliance with, the Protocols, this  Section 5, and these Terms. 

6. Use of WTTC Intellectual Property 

The Organisation accepts that all intellectual property rights subsisting in the Protocols and  Stamp are owned by, and/or under the control of, WTTC.

In consideration of the Organisation meeting all of its obligations under these Terms, WTTC  hereby grants to the Organisation a non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable, revocable  worldwide licence to display the Stamp in the form presented below on its websites, marketing  materials and other publicly facing materials for the purposes specified herein, and subject to, and  accordance with, these Terms. 

You must: 

I. Not alter or modify the Stamp in any way, except for incorporation of your own logo (as  instructed by WTTC) or unless WTTC publishes an update to the Stamp requiring you to  alter or modify it; 

II. Display the Stamp in its entirety; 

III. Not use the Stamp in any way that might risk injuring WTTC’s reputation; IV. Not use the Stamp in any way that breaches local laws applicable to your Organisation; V. Ensure that use of the Stamp is truthful and not misleading; 

VI. Not use the Stamp to imply any relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship by,  WTTC; 

VII. Not grant any sub-licence permitting any third party to exercise the rights granted  herein, unless that third party has itself also ensured compliance with, and continues to  ensure compliance with, the Protocols and these Terms; 

VIII. Immediately notify WTTC in writing if any of the following matters come to your  attention: 

a. Any actual, suspected or threatened infringement of WTTC’s intellectual property  rights; 

b. Any claim made or threatened that the Protocols and/or Stamp infringe the rights  of any third party; or 

c. Any other form of attack, charge or claim to which the Protocols and/or Stamp  may be subject. 

Form of stamp: 

Where Stamp is used without Organisation logo

7. WTTC’s Right to Request Information 

WTTC may at any time request information from you to evidence your compliance with the  Protocols, and WTTC may terminate your entitlement to display the Stamp where: 

I. You fail to provide sufficient information capable of evidencing compliance with the  Protocols, in WTTC’s sole determination; and 

II. Any information provided to WTTC is found to be false or misleading.  

8. Liability 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, WTTC shall not be liable to you or any third party for any  costs, expenses, loss or damages (whether direct, indirect or consequential, and whether  economic or other) arising from your adherence or non-adherence to the Protocols and/or use of  the Stamp, including, but not limited to, any: 

I. Loss of profits; 

II. Loss of sales or business; 

III. Loss of agreements or contracts; 

IV. Loss of anticipated savings;

V. Loss of or damage to goodwill; and 

VI. Indirect or consequential loss. 

Without prejudice to the generality of the above, WTTC will not be liable to you for any costs,  expenses, loss or damages (whether direct, indirect or consequential, and whether economic or  otherwise) associated with a passenger, traveller, guest, customer, employee or other person  contracting COVID-19 or any other illness and where you have, in good faith, adhered to the  relevant Protocols applicable to your industry. 

9. Indemnity 

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold WTTC, its affiliates, agents, suppliers and licensors  harmless from all claims, causes of action, allegations, costs, expenses, fees (including reasonable  attorneys’ fees), judgments, liabilities, losses, and damages, including those arising out of or in  connection with: 

I. Any breach of these Terms; 

II. Your adherence or non-adherence to the Protocols and/or use of the Stamp; III. Your exercise of the rights granted under these Terms; 

IV. The enforcement of these Terms; and 

V. Any claim made against WTTC by a third party arising out of or in connection with  your adherence or non-adherence to the Protocols and/or use of the Stamp. 

10. Termination 

WTTC may terminate these Terms and the rights granted to you hereunder and your eligibility to  use the Stamp at any time with immediate effect. 

11. Entire Agreement 

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between WTTC and Organisations and supersedes  and extinguishes all previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and  understandings, whether written or oral, relating to use of the Protocols and/or Stamp. 

12. Third Party Rights 

Unless expressly stated otherwise, these Terms do not give rise to any rights under the Contracts  (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. 

13. Severance 

Each of the paragraphs of these Terms operate separately. If any court or relevant authority  decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and  effect. 

14. Applicable Law 

These Terms and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out  of or in connection with them or subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed  in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

SAMPLE LETTER OF INTENT

LETTER OF INTENT 

WTTC SAFE TRAVELS STAMP

[Company Letterhead]

[Date]

(NAME OF REGIONAL DIRECTOR)

Regional Director

DOT Regional Office ____

Dear Director (Name of Regional Director):  

Recognizing the need to implement effective recovery efforts in the tourism sector, we at the [NAME OF DESTINATION] located at [ADDRESS], hereby express our intent to apply for a Safe Travels Stamp issued by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) that ensures adherence to the safety and hygiene protocols of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and compliance to WTTC’s Safe Travel Protocols and its Terms and Conditions. 

We strongly believe that the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp will create a huge impact in rebuilding the trust and confidence of the travelers to restart tourism. By being a part of this initiative, we pledge to strictly implement the health and safety guidelines set by the DOT and other relevant government agencies to protect the welfare of both the tourism workforce and the travelers.

In this regard, we hereby request for a re-assessment of our compliance with the DOT and WTTC requirements for the issuance of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp. Attached is the duly accomplished application form for your reference.

Thank you. 

Very truly yours,

[Name of Authorized Representative]

[Position]

WTTC SAFE TRAVELS STAMP CORE REQUIREMENTS

WTTC SAFE TRAVELS STAMP CORE REQUIREMENTS
	Core Requirements	Indicators/ Proof	Remarks
1	Unless critical, provide recommendations/guidance rather than requirements.
2	Evolve protocols according to level of risk at the destination.
3	Have realistic health, sanitation, disinfection, distancing, and safety protocols that businesses of all sizes can, and can afford to, implement.
4	Aim to reduce physical contact between staff and guests through the implementation of contactless/touchless solutions where possible.
5	Recommend rather than require the use of certain technologies, such as contactless payments or digital menus.
6	Promote online bookings over in-person reservations where applicable
7	Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees, and make available PPE for guests, if not free, at a cost.
8	Recommend that travellers wear a mask when interacting with people, in all modes of transports, during excursion and when in indoor venues
9	Urge travellers to maintain physical distancing to the best of their ability and wash and sanitise their hands often and thoroughly
10	Consider making available hand-sanitiser, beyond high-traffic areas for sale rather than providing it to all guests to alleviate pressure on businesses.
11	Where possible, ensure employees apply proper hand hygiene rather than enforce the use of gloves which may impede their tasks
12	If travellers present COVID-19 symptoms, respond proactively and with a solution that will ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of the traveller/guest
13	Develop simple rather than complex and costly solutions to protect staff and guests and ensure business continuity.
14	Have thoughtfully considered sustainability and eco-friendly solutions within the recommended measures.
15	Refer to physical distancing rather than social distancing
16	Recommend that businesses request that their suppliers and partners follow likeminded protocols.
PROTOCOLS SHOULD NOT
	Particular	Indicators/ Proof	Remarks
1	Have a quarantine period for travellers.
2	Add friction to the traveller/guest experience unless absolutely necessary.
3	Enforce capacity limitations, unless absolutely necessary (and never in the case of families with children), which make it financially unsustainable to run operations. This is typically anything below a 70% capacity.
4	Require demarcation of physical distancing limits unless specifically for queuing purposes.
5	Enforce physical distancing limits above 1.5m, unless absolutely necessary.
Note: Attach relevant ordinances or local regulations as supporting documents

__________________

Source: Department of Tourism - Philippines

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