QUEZON CITY, Mar. 4 (PIA) - The Department of Tourism (DOT) urges DOT-accredited accommodation establishments and local destinations re-opened to tourists to apply for Safe Travels Stamp.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp is the world's first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp. It is a specially designed stamp that will allow travelers to recognize governments and businesses worldwide that have adopted health and hygiene international standardized protocols - so consumers can experience 'Safe Travels.'

The stamp aims to rebuild confidence among travelers to enjoy safe travel with the easing of restrictions.

Travel stamps, however, are based on self-assessment and not a certification. Users of the stamp will confirm that they will implement Safe Travels protocols and carry out periodic checks of implementation.

In turn, the following are the users' benefits from the stamp:

1. Benefit from an internationally recognized stamp, developed in collaboration with WTTC Members, leading industry associations & international organizations. In other words, your protocols are aligned with the global private sector.

2. Use the stamp as an important and powerful signal to travelers, workers, and other stakeholders in the sector with a consistent global approach.

3. Leverage the stamp to rebuild confidence among travelers and within the sector so "Safe travels" can be enjoyed as restrictions are eased.

4. The Council will feature the destination or enterprise logo on the WTTC webpage.

5. Added promotion of entities/destinations in the DOT and TPB respective websites and social media platforms.

Interested applicants must be compliant with the DOT's health and safety guidelines, adhere to the WTTC Safe Travels Terms and Conditions, and submit the necessary documentary requirements.

Accommodation establishments should submit a letter of intent, accomplished application form, and establishment logo while destinations include the local government unit (LGU) profile, health and safety-related issuances/ordinances, and destination logo.

Applications should be coursed through the DOT's regional offices with email addresses available at www.tourism.gov.ph/regional_offices.aspx.

The DOT central office and regional offices will conduct inspection and validation of the applicant establishments and destinations. (MTQ/PIA-IDPD with information from DOT)