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Protocols for Attractions, Car Hire and Short-term Rental post-Covid-19 by WTTC
Posted On 26 Jun 2020
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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its third phase of measures designed to rebuild global consumer confidence, reduce risk and encourage the return of Safe Travels in the post Covid-19 world.
The latest protocols for the global Travel & Tourism sector focus on measures to ensure the reopening of global attractions, drive business to car hire companies and enable short-term rentals to begin welcoming guest.
“Worldwide attractions, car hire and short-term rentals, are 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,” WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said.
According to the WTTC, detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may experience in the ‘new normal’.
Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the WTTC protocols also take into account guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WTTC Safe Travels stamp recognises those destinations, countries, businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them.
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.
Measures announced include:
Attractions
- Encourage guests to buy advanced 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
WTTC has previously issued details safe travel protocols for tour operators and MICE :
Tour operators
- Enhanced sanitation, disinfection, and deep cleaning practices for coaches and other vehicles
- Focused cleaning on high-frequency touch points, including handrails, door handles, tables, onboard toilets, air conditioning filters, overhead lockers and headsets
- Pre-allocated seating plans with no rotation
- Limit physical contact and queuing where possible
- Explore staggered timing for access to venues, hotels and restaurants among others
- Health, sanitation, disinfection and hygiene and food safety protocols at partner restaurants
- Establish with partners and suppliers including shops, showrooms, tasting venues/shops, museums, shows theatres, concert halls, factories and farms, that they follow likely protocols
Convention Centres, Meetings & Events
- Implement physical distancing for seating distribution and aisles, utilizing government guidance if available. Create visual support to show intent as appropriate.
- Reduce venue capacity limits for participants as appropriate and required by local legislation
- Distinguish between different areas of risk in the venue
- Consider pre-arrival risk assessment questionnaire for participants
- Limit physical interaction and possible queuing at reception and registration using advance registration to enhance participant flow
- Create isolation units outside the venue where possible for those showing COVID-19 symptoms
Protocols have also been issued for aviation and airlines, hotels and outdoor shopping and retail, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.
Additional and separate measures for the cruise sector and insurance businesses amongst others, are currently in development and will be announced in due course.
The WTTC’s detailed report on protocols can be downloaded here:
Global Protocols for the New Normal
