industry news Global safety and hygiene stamp for V&A Waterfront
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ape Town’s V&A Waterfront has become the first tourist attraction in South Africa to be awarded what is known as a “global safety and hygiene stamp”, an initiative of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). “This is the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism. It is designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks. It’s awarded only after all hygiene protocols have been implemented,” said V&A Waterfront spokesperson Donald Kau. According to Kau, the Waterfront implemented a host of measures to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the attraction. “We modified the ventilation system to take advantage of natural ventilation, we introduced digital vouchers for shopping, made the parking payment system contactless and introduced an online shopping click-and-collect drive-through.” The World Travel & Tourism Council launched a set of hygiene standards for tourism – with a stamp of approval for those who comply – to assist in welcoming
travellers back safely. As lockdowns lift and parts of the world cautiously reopen for tourism, a major industry concern is people’s fears – making them reluctant to stray far from home, stay in hotels or even dine in restaurants – mainly due to lingering worries about their health. To address that, the WTTC has launched the first global safety and hygiene stamp, which will allow travellers to recognise countries, cities and businesses that have adopted a standardised set of health and hygiene protocols to ensure people’s safety. The WTTC, which represents the private sector in global travel and tourism, says the new set of protocols “will encourage the return of ‘safe travels’ around the world.” Businesses including hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor markets, transportation companies and airports will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene measures, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented. WTTC president Gloria Guevara said: “We have learnt from past crises
that global standard protocols and consistency provide confidence for the traveller. Our new global safety stamp is designed to help rebuild consumer confidence worldwide.” The initiative has the support of the UN World Tourism Organisation and the Council has published specific protocols for several sectors which are being updated as new information about COVID-19 becomes available. For more information about the World Travel & Tourism Council’s new stamp of safety visit: www.wttc.org
Botswana cleaning companies to form industry body
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leaning companies in neighbouring country Botswana resolved to establish the country’s first cleaning association to be named the Botswana Cleaning Association (BCA). The BCA will be a registered industry body under the country’s Societies Act with a mandate to regulate the cleaning industry in Botswana. Cleaning companies in the country decided to establish the association in order to address common challenges faced by the industry, among them the lack of professionalism in executing cleaning contracts. In addition, the BCA will become the voice of the cleaning industry, particularly when interacting with the Labour Department regarding
issues like unfair labour practices. To address this and other issues the BCA will introduce standard operating procedures for members. Membership of the association will consist of two categories: • Regular membership – wholly Botswana citizen owned cleaning companies • Associate membership – cleaning product suppliers including noncitizens The Botswana Cleaning Association will be formally launched on 3 October 2020 in Gaborone at which time the first AGM will be held and a National Executive Committee elected. It is expected that 36 regular and two
supplier members will be confirmed. The BCA launch event will also act as a platform for various guest speakers representing the government to address the fledgling cleaning association. For more information about BCA email: jerryreginald90@gmail.com
African Cleaning Review September/October 2020
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