UNWTO & IATA collaborate on destination tracker

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announce a Destination Tracker in preparation for the restart of international travel. It is the result of both organizations joining efforts to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on Covid-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination. The tool is available through the websites of both organizations and will provide information on:

Covid-19 Indicators including infection rates, positivity rates, and vaccination roll out by destination/country. Air Travel Regulations, including test and quarantine requirements, provided by IATA's Timatic solution. Destination Measures, including 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 organizations.

The Destination Tracker will fulfill a key need by providing clarity on Covid-19 measures affecting tourism. The situation for travelers is complex with UNWTO data showing that one in three destinations remains closed to tourists. Moreover, restrictions and in-country measures are continuously being revised.

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 Organizations (DMOs) and travel agencies, will be able to obtain the latest destination information, enabling travelers to make informed decisions when borders reopen and travel resumes. -

The development of the Tracker framework is completed. Up-to-date information on Covid-19 indicators and air travel regulations is available and systematically updated. Destination information is being progressively uploaded, expanded and updated with official sources as the Covid-19 situation evolves.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "UNWTO is pleased to reinforce its partnership with IATA, a 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."

"It has been more than a year since the freedom to travel was lost as Covid-19 measures saw borders close. 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," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director-General.

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. The agreement will also see the two agencies partner to foster innovation to drive the restart of tourism, promote greater public-private collaboration in the field of aviation and the tourism sector in general, and advance progress already made towards achieving greater sustainability and resilience.

Destination Tracker

While travelers have not lost their desire to fly and discover the world, the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic have devastated the tourism sector. As the world gradually re-opens, travelers are seeking information to understand the requirements to enter countries, and the Covid-19 measures in place. The Destination Tracker developed by UNWTO uses Timatic Travel Regulations content and collates it with other government information to provide an overview of destinations open to travel and to detail Covid-19 restrictions at destination.

For governments, looking to once again welcome visitors, the Destination Tracker is a great way to stimulate travel demand to your destination(s). To update the information into the Tracker for your country, please contact [email protected].

For travelers: Explore the Tracker to have a quick overview of travel opportunities and what measures to expect at the destination of your choice, as they affect food and accommodation, attractions and leisure activities, country-wide mobility, etc. Available for free, the tracker includes data on: Health Indicators; Covid-19, 14-day notification rate per 100,000 population, Test positivity rate, and People Vaccinated per 100. Current Air Travel Regulations include; Flight suspensions; Entry restrictions, Quarantine and Restriction level and Covid-19 test. Destination-specific Restrictions include Attractions, Events, Facilities, Accommodation, Food and Drinks, Transit through the country, Public transport and Stay-at-home requirements. Health Regulations include Health Protocols and Mask policies.