The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town has been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp.

The stamp is the first global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism and has also been awarded to the Western Cape town of Stellenbosch. The WTTC has awarded the stamp to 80 travel destinations and 1 200 companies around the world where comprehensive measures to safeguard guests and employees have been implemented. 

The global protocols were developed in collaboration with the WTTC members, leading industry associations and international organisations. They consider the current guidelines of the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The initiative is also backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. 

“We’ve noted best practice from all over the world with a view to setting a benchmark, and we will continue to modify these measures as our understanding of the coronavirus evolves. As a member of the WTTC, we have the most up-to-date information on the most effective, scientifically supported measures available and the V&A will continue to take the lead in implementing them,” said  V&A Waterfront CEO, David Green.

The V&A Waterfront has intensified cleaning and sanitising regimes in its public areas. Visitors are required to wear masks at all times and the number of visitors in stores is limited. Natural ventilation has been increased where possible and creative use is being made of open spaces to facilitate social distancing. 

Technology is also being used as a means to enable the safe resumption of retail, hospitality and leisure activities including contactless payment for parking and click-and-collect drive-through shopping solutions.

 “We are working with our tenants to ensure strict compliance to the WTTC protocols throughout the V&A Waterfront so that visitors can be assured that it is safe to enjoy the many attractions and leisure activities on offer,” said Green.