O-02 The Caribbean Travellers Health Assurance Stamp for Healthier Safer Tourism: Creating a Competitive Tourism Industry during COVID-19 and for the Future
Author(s):
L Indar, F Mohammed, S Kissoondan
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: To describe the Caribbean’s Traveller Health Assurance Stamp and how it contributes to Healthier Safer Tourism (HST Stamp).
Methods: The HST stamp is a measurable and verifiable travellers’ health assurance and recognition award for tourism entities implementing recommended proactive health, monitoring and safety measures. It was developed to encourage and incentivize tourism/hospitality facilities to implement measures for reduction of spread COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and thereby promote healthier safer tourism in the Caribbean region. The Award is based on a tier system which encourages continuous improvement and sustainable implementation. Currently the first tier, the classic HST stamp, is being implemented in the region.
Results: Since its launch in November 2020 to December 2022, there have been 110 awardees in 14 countries in the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago rank highest with 27 awardees followed by Belize (17 awardees) and St. Lucia (12). The majority (85%) of the HST Stamps were awarded in 2021 and to accommodation facilities (76%). During this time, countries began lifting border restrictions and started to reopen for travel. Acquiring the HST Stamp provided travellers with the option of choosing a healthier safer tourism accommodation or service.
Conclusion: The HST Stamp can boost the reputation, recognition, quality, and the competitiveness of the hospitality sector. Health and tourism authorities and travellers now have the added assurance that facilities with the Stamp can provide a healthier, safer tourism product that could contribute to reduced spread of illnesses.