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In the News from Panama

Panama Earns Travel Safety Seal from Global Group

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has given Panama its Travel Safety Stamp recognizing that it has met a wide variety of specific standards to ensure the safety of travelers.

The WTTC is a global organization promoting travel around the world, representing more than 200 travel and tourism companies. The Travel Safety Stamp allows “travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.”

In addition to Panama, destinations such as Barcelona, Aruba, Cancun, Madrid, and Vienna have also signed on to the safe travel initiative.

“It is very important to see the main countries and destinations join the growing list of global destinations that our private sector protocols adopt,” Gloria Guevara Manzo, president, and CEO of the WTTC, said in a statement. “This not only shows the success of the WTTC Safe Travel seal but also demonstrates its importance for travelers and those who work in the sector. ”

The WTTC protocols were developed following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and are supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Although they don’t play any official role in travel, they can help travelers feel confident that a destination is following strict hygiene and sanitation protocols.

“As the nerve center of the Americas, restoring the confidence of travelers and tourists will be a key factor in reviving our industry and the economy. The seal is an excellent way to generate trust, aligning the protocols that we have developed with our Ministry of Health under the WTTC standards so that travelers can have a safe trip through our country, “said Iván Eskildsen, Minister of Tourism of Panama.

Copa Airlines has announced it expects to resume flights on Aug. 7, although that is contingent on health standards. Plans call for a gradual return of flights, starting at 10 to 20 percent of the normal routes.