Turismo de Portugal created a label to highlight tourist activities that ensure compliance with hygiene and cleaning requirements for the prevention and control of Covid-19 and other possible infections, working to reinforce the level of confidence among tourists potentially returning to the country in the future.
This new seal of approval is valid for one year, is free and optional, and requires the implementation of an internal protocol in companies that, according to the recommendations of the Directorate-General for Health, ensures necessary hygiene levels to avoid risks of contagion and guarantees safe procedures for the operation of tourist activities.
The “Clean & Safe” seal can be obtained online, on the digital platforms of Turismo de Portugal: RNET (National Register of Tourist Enterprises), RNAAT (National Register of Tourist Entertainment Agents) and RNAVT (National Register of Travel and Tourism Agents) and will always be associated with the entity’s registration number.
After companies have submitted a Declaration of Commitment, they can use the “Clean & Safe” seal, either physically on their premises or in their presence on digital platforms.
Turismo de Portugal, in coordination with the competent entities, will carry out random audits to adhering establishments.
With this measure, the National Tourism Authority intends not only to transmit to companies information on the minimum necessary hygiene and cleaning measures for establishments, but also to promote Portugal as a safe destination from the point of view of care for the spread of the virus, with an action coordinated by part of all companies in the sector and which will soon expand to other areas of activity according to numerous expressions of interest.
Meanwhile, the local accommodation platform Airbnb will implement an “advanced cleaning programme” with training and certification for hosts and a new 72-hour blocking tool between stays.
Through the new programme will give hosts “improved guidelines and procedures on how to clean all rooms in the house” in order to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, Airbnb said in a statement.
The company also says that there will also be a training and a certification programme, to help hosts to demonstrate that they know and comply with the enhanced cleaning practices and, at the same time, facilitate the identification by the guests of the accommodations that are part of the new programme.
There will also be a new 72-hour blocking tool between stays, during which time only entry to perform cleaning tasks will be allowed.
“Through this programme, Airbnb wants to offer greater peace of mind to guests after the reopening of trips, in a controlled manner, and to stimulate the tourism economy again,” reads the statement.