Cumbria Tourism said it is "important" that local businesses capitalise on the opportunity to apply for the international ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

VisitBritain announced last Friday that tourism businesses in the UK registered to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard scheme can now be automatically issued with the international ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from the WTTC.

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: "It is important that as many of our businesses apply for this free accreditation as possible, in order that we can collectively market the Lake District, Cumbria as being ‘good to go’ and support the county’s recovery."

The 'We're Good To Go Scheme' has been recognised by the WTTC as meeting its international global standardised health and hygiene protocols and for its role in supporting the recovery of the UK tourism sector.

The WTTC stamp enables travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted global standardised protocols - so they can experience ‘Safe Travels.’

Ms Haigh added: "Cumbria Tourism has been working in partnership with VisitEngland and their ‘We’re Good to Go’ scheme since its launch last spring.

"It not only gives visitors’ confidence - but also staff and local residents - that our businesses have, and continue, to implement the necessary measures and protocols to ensure they are Covid-safe."

According to Cumbria Tourism, there are 1,400 local businesses currently signed up to the 'We're Good To Go' scheme.

The scheme was launched last year by VisitEngland in partnership with the tourism boards of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said: "We are pleased to see VisitBritain, the tourism agency for one of the world’s most popular destinations, implementing enhanced health and safety measures that are in line with our global protocols, to ensure safe travel, and we are delighted to recognise its efforts through the WTTC Safe Travels stamp.

"The globally recognised stamp enables both business and leisure travellers to distinguish destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels’, and VisitBritain’s adoption will help to restore consumer confidence."

We’re Good To Go registered businesses in the UK can log into their online account to download the Safe Travels stamp.

Any business not already part of We’re Good To Go can apply to the scheme through the usual process and indicate within that application their wish to use the additional global WTTC stamp.

For more information visit the VisitBritain website.