Destination Tracker introduced by UNTWO and IATA to help restore International travel
We trust this tool is also critical for governments to track existing travel restrictions and support the safe restart of our sector.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General
The travellers, whether tourists or international students travelling abroad have not lost the wish to travel but their travelling has been disrupted due to the pandemic. As the restrictions are being slowly lifted in many countries and the borders are re-opening, travellers are seeking information to understand the requirements to enter countries and the rules that need to be followed once at the destination.
To prepare for the restart of travel and boost the confidence of travellers the two organizations, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) cooperated and developed a new tool called Destination Tracker.
This free UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is an online tool for governments and travellers. The governments can provide information on COVID-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination. The travellers can use the Tracker to explore the travel opportunities, measures that can be expected at the destination of their choice with regards to the food and accommodation, attractions and leisure activities and transport options.
The tool is available on the websites of both organizations and will provide information on COVID-19 Indicators such as infection rates and vaccination roll out by destination/country.
It will contain Air Travel Regulations, including test and quarantine requirements, provided by IATA’s Timatic solution. Furthermore, it will contain details of the measures once at the destination, including general health and safety requirements such as the use of masks, transit through a country, curfew, or regulations related to restaurants and tourist sights, attractions and museums provided by national tourism organizations.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO is pleased to reinforce its partnership with IATA, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, to provide this important tool. Travellers and companies will be able to check requirements in place for air travel, as well as what measures will be in place at the visited destination. We trust this tool is also critical for governments to track existing travel restrictions and support the safe restart of our sector.”
The two organizations started closer cooperation in October last year when they agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to restore confidence in international air travel. The aim of the partnership is also to nurture innovation to drive the restart of tourism, to promote collaboration between public and private organizations in the tourism sector in general and continue the process of establishing a more sustainable and resilient sector.
The Destination Tracker has been developed to provide clarity on COVID-19 measures affecting tourism. It will be a helpful tool for international students and the parents of the younger junior students deciding on their study destination.
The teachers and schools organizing mini-stays abroad might find it useful too to start planning their school trips
