The Cabildo, together with SPEL and the FTL, will transfer this week the request to the Government of the Canary Islands
The president of the Cabildo, Mª Dolores Corujo, together with the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society (SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote) and the Lanzarote Tourist Federation (FTL), will address this week to the Government of the Canary Islands to request that the island be the destination of the First flight in which the pilot project of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) consisting of monitoring passengers with a secure health application called Hi-Card to certify that they are free of Covid-19 will be experienced worldwide.
Last Friday, the Minister of Tourism of the autonomous government, Yaiza Castilla, received confirmation from the UNWTO that the Canary Islands had been selected to launch this project through the aforementioned application -developed by a company from the Archipelago- that It will store on the mobile phones, through the creation of a unique digital profile, the medical information of the passengers certified by an entity accredited by the Ministry of Health.
The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, María Dolores Corujo, highlights that “the low rate of infections and the way the island is coping with the coronavirus pandemic in terms of health are undoubtedly factors that strengthen our position as a tourist destination in times when security It has become one of the main foundations that contribute to the international reputation of the destinations. ” The president adds that, if carried out, “the initiative will strictly comply with all health guarantees for the health of both our tourists and the people of Lanzarote”
The insular Promotion Entity and the insular Tourist Federation have been able to verify throughout the various meetings held in the last ten days with the main European tourist organizations and operators, the predisposition of the airlines to resume their operations with Lanzarote as soon as it is allowed initiate air connectivity, since the low incidence of infections is being perceived by some markets as a positive factor that is increasing interest in traveling to the island.
In this sense, the Island Councilor for Tourism Promotion, Ángel Vázquez, considers that the island would be the “ideal destination” to host this pioneering flight worldwide, scheduled for the month of July, in which this project would be tested. “It will allow passengers to travel with the peace of mind knowing that all the people who share their flight do so carrying a digital health passport that guarantees them to be free of Covid-19.” “An event that would also become a promotion of invaluable value for the destination,” he adds.
He also points out that “on the other hand, the initiative to receive this first flight also fits into the Smart Island project in which Lanzarote is working within the technology and tourism binomial, to be an Intelligent Biosphere Reserve”.
For her part, the president of the FTL, Susana Pérez, underlined “the effort and determination with which the island tourism sector is working to guarantee compliance with preventive measures in tourist establishments and activities on the island, in order to provide guarantee and trust before potential tourists and tour operators “.
In this regard, the Lanzarote Tourist Federation is immersed in the preparation, together with Biolab Company and CFC, of the Post-Covid-19 Safe Establishments Program to help in the reopening of the different tourist establishments and activities. This program will include not only the ICTE National Guide, but also the specific protocols that will be drawn up within the Canary Islands Plan ‘Laboratory of Tourist Protocols’ in which this Federation participates.
