Tourists will be granted greater consumer protections under a new proposal by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The International Code for the Protection of Tourists hopes to make support available to tourists impacted by emergency situations globally more consistent.
In its first meeting, a committee in charge of formulating the policy adopted a plan of action for a common framework.
"Uncertainty and a lack of trust in travel are among the biggest challenges we face as we work to restart tourism. An International Code for the Protection of Tourists will be a landmark step towards addressing this," said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
It aims to restore tourists’ confidence with a defined set of clear guidelines.
This includes real-time information for tourists, contingency plans and coordination to minimise disruptions, and training tourism stakeholders to help tourists during emergencies.
It will also come up with effective tourist repatriation procedures.
It has the support of almost 100 member states so far.
A progress report on the development of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists will be unveiled at the next UNWTO General Assembly in late 2021.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
