The UNWTO guidelines draw on the cross-sector expertise of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and are designed to support governments and the private sector in their efforts to rebuild tourism economies following the "unparalleled" coronavirus crisis.
According to the UNWTO, international tourist arrivals could fall by 60% to 80% in the wake of the pandemic, risking more than 100 million jobs and more than a trillion US dollars in lost exports.
The organisation has also strengthened its partnership with Google "to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism".
Six key principles guide the new UNWTO advice: safe and seamless travel for residents, travellers and workers, which respects health regulations; clear, evidence-based protocols and information; consensual data sharing; eliminating discrimination; a focus on digital transformation; and guarantees any measures are regularly reviewed, replaced when better alternatives emerge, and removed "as the situation allows".
Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO secretary general, said: “These guidelines provide both governments and businesses with a comprehensive set of measures designed to help them open tourism up again in a safe, seamless and responsible manner.
"They are the product of the enhanced cooperation that has characterised tourism’s response to this shared challenge, building on knowledge and inputs from across the public and private sectors and from several UN agencies as part of the UN’s wider response.”
The UNWTO has reimagined travellers’ journeys at every stage from home to destination, and condensed the process down to four steps – each with new steps to mitigate Covid-19 infection.
Search and book
- Provision of information on health requirements and procedures from origin country, travel providers and destination
- Provision of information on cancellation and policies if a person becomes sick while travelling or in destination
- Sharing data through national tracing apps
Leaving home
- Contactless payment onboard local transportation
- Observing physical distancing
- Health protocols at local transportation facilities
On your way
- Contactless check-in and boarding, and pre-allocation of seats
- New limitations on cabin or carry-on baggage
- Contactless border controls
- Physical distancing and new health protocols across all transport infrastructure and operations
At your destination
- Download relevant tracking app
- New health protocols throughout tourism value chain, including in accommodation, restaurants and attractions
- Contactless payment and check-in
- E-tickets and e-booking for attractions, visits and entertainment
- Clear communication of protocols and signage
- Automated text message upon arriving in destination advising guests of local or national rules and regulations
Digital transformation
The UNWTO also believes the coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for destinations, companies and employees to undergo a broader digital transformation.
It is offering free training through its UNWTO online academy, and is supporting technologies such as the Hi+Card app to "improve international interoperability at airports and hotels". The digital health passport app will be pioneered on a flight to the Canaries in July.
The organisation is also planning to bolster its partnership with Google to promote digital learning and online skills training, make the sector more resilient, and "create opportunities for people around the world".
