While travel has come to a halt worldwide, here at Spain Savvy we have been busy learning about how travel will change as we enter the “new normal” post-Covid, and how we must all adapt to the rules and regulations that will ensure the health and safety of our visitors. We are proud to display the official seals of approval from the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, and the regional government’s Tourism Board in Andalucía, where our business is based.
Ensuring #SafeTravels from WTTC
WTTC alongside its Members, governments, health experts and other industry associations are working together to achieve effective recovery protocols by developing meaningful action plans that optimize sector-wide recovery efforts.
Part of these protocols include providing the public & private sectors with the insights & toolkits for interaction & implementation to ensure that people are and feel safe – however WTTC, its members and the sector can not guarantee 100% safety. It is paramount to have common rules. Ultimately, WTTC envisions a future of travel which is safe, secure, seamless and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the traveler across the journey; one which supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes to sustainable economic growth.
The WTTC has published protocols in phases for at least eleven industries, including; Hospitality, Attractions, Outdoor Retail, Aviation, Airports, Short Term Rentals, Cruise, Tour Operators, Convention Centres and MICE, Car Rental and Insurance.
The protocols align the private sector behind common standards to ensure the safety of its workforce and travelers as the sector shifts to a new normal.
Please note that while the protocols take into account current WHO and CDC guidelines, they are living documents which will be updated as new information becomes available about COVID-19.
The cities of Seville and Barcelona as well as the country of Portugal have also received this seal of approval directly from the WTTC.
Responsible Tourism in Spain
The State Secretariat of Tourism has created a ‘Responsible Tourism’ seal of quality for all those establishments that follow the Guidelines on Measures to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in the Tourism Sector, the only measures approved by the Ministry of Health.
It is a seal of quality that can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism after completing a form in which the establishment must show its commitment to following these guidelines. The seal of quality is personal and non-transferable, and will need to be renewed each year.
The State Secretary for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, believes that “offering confidence and safety is essential at the moment for re-attracting both domestic and international travelers. This seal of quality is yet another tool in our strategy to reposition Spain as a safe tourist destination for everyone. It is also a way to recognize the responsibility of those business leaders who make an effort to create a safe environment in their respective businesses, not only for tourists but also for their own workers and local residents”.
The “Guidelines on Measures to Reduce the Spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus in the Tourism Sector” drawn up with the sector, social stakeholders and regional governments, and validated by the Ministry of Health, will be the benchmark for creating rules worldwide following an agreement adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Safe Andalusia
Andalusia has made its “Safe Andalusia” badge available to all sectors on a voluntary basis.
The badge identifies all companies that comply with the security measures on Covid-19, in order to give consumers the guarantee and peace of mind of compliance with the standards of the World Health Organization.
The company displaying the Safe Andalusia seal of approval must comply with the recommendations guide set forth by the local government and once the badge is awarded, there is a compliance control process.
#Plannow – #Experiencelater with Spain Savvy
2021 is gearing up to be a big one for travel. With so many people sheltering in place and waiting for borders to open up post-Covid, we believe it’s important to prioritize your bucket list and begin to think about making some plans.
Our custom-designed itineraries are completely flexible allowing you to:
- Set an itinerary with moveable dates – we can take the time now to make sure we do all the research necessary and make your trip design as perfect as possible!
- Assist you with your flexible air & lodging bookings
- Get all the details just right and make sure everything will be in place so you can sit back, relax, and focus on the amazing experiences we know you will have
At Spain Savvy, we are proud of how Spain, Portugal and other European countries have collectively handled the Covid crisis.
After a rapid and widespread expansion of Covid-19 in Spain in early March, they applied the strictest lockdown in Europe for close to two months. Following, was the most gradual and structured de-escalation strategies in the European Union, lasting several more weeks.
Spanish airports are applying a 3-step security procedure for new arrivals including the completion of a responsible declaration, temperature-taking and a visual Covid-19 symptoms test.
In addition, Spain is cooperating closely with the other EU countries to ensure that borders are opened as safely as possible to countries who can meet the EU standards for Covid-19 control in their home countries.
Spain Savvy is in close and constant contact with our partners (hotels & lodging, transport companies, guides, experiences and activities) to ensure they are also complying with all government-required anti-Covid protocols and will continue to monitor protocols going forward.
We have established an emergency plan in case of Covid-19 infection of clients or suppliers during a Spain Savvy experience.
Partnering with Spain Savvy for your post-Covid travels is a guarantee that you will be in the safe hands of trusted experts. To learn more about how we work, read our How We Work page.
Contact us today to begin design on your very own Spain Savvy custom itinerary for post-Covid travel. We would love to hear from you and assist you with your travel dreaming!