The Risk of currently being a Safe Travels Stamp Spot
Tourism Montenegro just gained an vital approval by the Globe Journey and Tourism Council (WTTC) .
Montenegro is now a single of 100 places in the world awarded the Safe Travels Stamp for Places. Aleksandra Gardasevic-Slavuljica, advised eTurboNeww this was impressive because the region is likely by means of the peak of the Coronavirus epidemic.
It appears the meant that means what the Harmless Travels Stamp should symbolize has been lost in translation, or is not spelled out clearly by its issuer. In this article is why.
Montenegro just had elections and the adjust of power is staying debated.
The election resulted in a victory for the opposition parties and the fall from electricity of the ruling DPS, which experienced dominated the nation due to the fact the introduction of the multi-occasion system in 1990. On 31 August, the leaders of a few opposition coalitions, For the Potential of Montenegro, Peace is Our Nation and In Black and White, agreed to variety an expert govt, and to continue to work on the European Union accession method.
The Safe Travel stamp dialogue is now in the centre of a contemporary domestic controversy.
Aleksandra Gardasevic-Slavuljica, the writer of this belief posting. Aleksandra is also the president of the Balkan area of the US-dependent rebuilding.journey dialogue among the tourism professionals in 118 countries.
Tourism is an market that relies upon on the reputation of the spot. We are witnesses that Montenegro has dropped the popularity and rely on by travelers.
It was an illusion that Montenegro is a prestigious vacation spot for the reason that our vacationer likely has by no means been totally exploited.
COVID built everything noticeable. With COVID, there was NKT, the National Business responsible for the disaster. Then there is the Countrywide Tourism Business (NTO), right after that there was corona-free, then corona-increase, and eventually – there was a breakdown of the destination’s reputation.
That is why we urgently will need a new, respectable NKT, which the citizens will believe in. And the new NTO, which will be a specialist promoter of a rebranded Montenegrin vacation spot. These are the preconditions for the restoration of tourism. Here’s why:
Only a state that cares about the overall health of its citizens can have a dependable frame of mind to visitors.
Only an genuine interaction method promises prestige and name.
A nutritious and contented population is a prerequisite for secure tourism. Currently, Montenegro is not a safe tourist desired destination.
To include to the irony, the Countrywide Tourism Firm obtained a “Safe Travels” certification from the Environment Tourism and Vacation Council (WTTC) just these times. The goal of working with this stamp is to promote safe vacation for the duration of COVID-19 and to help travellers to quickly discover protected tourist zones. The indicator stands out on internet websites, social networks, facilities, which helps make it less complicated for travellers to pick a risk-free place.
The method for obtaining the Protected Travels label is as follows: The WTTC supplies destinations or stakeholders with a protection protocol. Protocols are in simple fact pre-published paperwork. When the protocols are agreed upon, the WTTC awards them the “Safe Travels” stamp. The starting place of the WTTC is to belief nationwide authorities due to the fact it considers them dependable and reliable institutions. I guess that’s taken for granted..
So, Montenegrin tourism, at the peak of the epidemic, was adorned with the trademark “Safe Travel”.
In Montenegro, this vital actuality should have been gotten lost in translation.
For that reason, the NTO now has an instrument for branding Montenegro as a safe and sound vacationer destination. Whether or not he will have the bravery to do so at this position remains to be found. But that is not all.
The Nationwide Tourist Place of work has not only turn out to be the proprietors of this trademark, but has acquired authorization to even more distribute the stamp. In this regard, the NTO has sent an invitation to lodges, dining establishments, airways, to apply and get hold of the “Safe Travels Stamp.”. If the campaign proceeds, it could occur that, though the crown is burning, Montenegro will be branded as a secure location. This is in which the issue arises.
Advertising risk-free tourism and secure journey, at a time when we are acknowledged as one particular of the most infectious place in the area, would be an unforgivable compromise of the spot.
I hope that the NTO will develop into informed of its obligation and that at this point it will suspend the promotion of the “Safe Travel” model. The WTTC label really should be utilized, but only when sensible circumstances are satisfied and when some “healthier” occasions occur. Until finally then, permit them do the job on getting ready for these kinds of conditions.
Consequently, the probability of producing a countrywide certificate need to be regarded as a trademark that could be regarded as “Montenegro – Accountable Destination”.
Dependable, not safe, simply because safe locations and safe vacation do not exist these days. The nationwide certification human body need to be composed of industry experts from the NTO and the Ministry of Overall health. Indeed – industry experts.
The WTTC certificate “Safe Travels Stamp” does not have a method of steady management, but counts on the duty of the NTO. In contrast, the application of national certificates implies strict regulate around the implementation of the protocol. These kinds of protocols are not just a letter on paper, but “living” and binding files that are topic to transform.
Only when Montenegrin tourism is branded with its possess symbol, guests who trust us will keep in hotels. It will be a information to travelers that we are a dependable host and that we are completely ready to welcome them.
The certification marked “Montenegro – a accountable destination” can be a new Montenegrin brand name, which will bolster the reputation and restore the have confidence in of travelers. In addition, the WTTC and any other consultant label are welcome.
That is why I attractiveness not to enable Montenegro to be branded as a safe location all through the transition of political ability right after our recent election to keep away from a further more outbreak of the epidemic. The cause is basic. Montenegro is not a safe place at this time.
Tourists would not forgive us for this sort of deception.
Gloria Guevaras, CEO of WTTC advised eTurboNews independently:
“The stamp has almost nothing to do with circumstances or latest a COVID condition. It is about protocols. The stamp is just a recognition that protocols are at the identical stage as the international private sector.
The stamp has nothing to do with threat or the current state of a desired destination. Each and every country manages its possess condition. Locations open or close centered on their risk assessment indicators WTTC does not measure that .”