IATA and UNWTO launch Destination Tracker for governments amidst COVID impact

Thursday, 29 April 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

IATA and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have created an online tool for governments to provide information on COVID19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination.

The Destination Tracker tool is available through the websites of both organisations and will provide information on:

COVID-19 Indicators: Infection rates, positivity rates, and vaccination roll out by destination/country;
Air travel regulations: Test and quarantine requirements, provided by IATA’s Timatic solution;
Destination measures: General health and safety requirements such as use of masks, transit through a country, curfew, or regulations related to restaurants and attractions, provided by national tourism organisations.

Governments can use the Destination Tracker to post COVID-19 travel information so that potential travelers will know what to expect at their destination.

When fully populated with updated destination information, travel stakeholders including Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and travel agencies, will be able to obtain the latest destination information, enabling travelers to make informed decisions when borders reopen and travel resumes.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO is pleased to reinforce its partnership with IATA, an UNWTO Affiliate Member, to provide this important tool. Travelers 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 UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker builds on the existing partnership between the two parties. In October 2020, UNWTO and IATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to restore confidence in international air travel.

“It has been more than a year since the freedom to travel was lost as COVID19 measures saw borders close,” said IATA’s Director-General Willie Walsh. “When governments have the confidence to re-open borders people will be eager to travel. And they will need accurate information to guide them. With the support of national tourism organizations, the UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker will help travelers and travel companies obtain the latest information for travel planning.”