WTTC Introduces Digital Travel Portal Platform for Digital Check of Health Documents
More specifically, WTTC is calling on governments to build resilience and ensure there are clear systems backed on the travellers’ health status, which allows safe, stress-free travel and reduced delays at airports, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
The reports published by the authority in partnership with The Commons Project Foundation recommend for COVID-19 certificates to be issued digitally, with the governments activating the Digital Travel Portal nationally and implementing the digital connections with the industry. In addition, WTTC urges travel authorisation certificates to be issued digitally.
As per the policy recommendations, developing a policy to manage COVID-19 certificate frauds and also develop a digitally accessible travel policy. Implementing digital government services also is listed among policy recommendations.
“Today we publish a report that provides guidance on how to create a single digital travel solution that governments can adopt and join up at an international level. If we ever face another pandemic, we must do a better job. People should be allowed to travel based on their individual health status by using a one-stop government digital platform before they start their journey,” Julia Simpson from WTTC said.
She also pointed out that about 62 million jobs were lost worldwide in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected tourism, travel, and the economy.
WTTC, in a previous report, revealed that tourism in Europe is headed towards recovery after two years of no activity due to the pandemic. More specifically, the authority said that nearly eight million new jobs in the tourism and travel industry would be established in the next decade, which is particularly good news for the industry.
In addition, the CEO of the Commons Project Foundation, Zhenya Lindtgardt, expressed support for WTTC in an attempt to help countries to resume safe travel and to keep borders open.
The report further lists 12 recommendations to be applied to the whole Digital Travel Portal, including an effective portal, compliance and data protection and privacy, constant communication, the capability of language, and legal recommendations in case of disputes.
Moreover, the Digital Travel Portals could also be incorporated with other government services, such as visa application processes, to provide an efficient digital one-stop-shop for governments and travellers.
