The "Clean & Safe" initiative, promoted by Turismo de Portugal, was extended this week to golf courses, rent-a-car companies and interpreter guides.

After bars, restaurants, local accommodation and, more recently, airports, the seal of health created by the national tourism authority has now been extended to golf courses, rent-a-car companies and interpreter guides.

In the case of golf courses, the initiative arose through an alliance between Tourism of Portugal and the National Golf Industry Council (CNIG). Companies wishing to make this distinction must implement an internal protocol that complies with the provisions of the "Declaration of Commitment" accessible on the CNIG website. The seal will be awarded upon validation by the CNIG and may be used in the physical facilities and in all communication channels of golf courses.

Car rental companies may apply for the seal to the Association of Car Rental Manufacturers without a Driver (ARAC). The seal is sent to the companies after ARAC verifies the fulfilment of the requirements and confirms, with the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT), if the company is qualified to carry out rent-a-car activities. The attribution of the "Clean & Safe" stamp to the rent-a-car results from a collaboration protocol signed between ARAC, the Transport Mobility Authority (AMT), IMT and Tourism of Portugal.

The interpreter guides who wish to obtain the seal must attend the certified training program developed by Turismo de Portugal especially for this professional class. The stamp is then issued by the National Union of Tourist Activity, Translators and Interpreters (SNATTI) or by the Portuguese Association of Tourist Guides and Post Offices (AGIC). Professionals who are not registered with SNATTI or AGIC can also apply for the stamp.

The stamp, which is free and valid until April 30th, intends to distinguish companies that comply with the recommendations of the General Health Directorate in order to reduce the risk of contagion by Covid-19. The initiative aims to restore visitors' confidence and is part of the recovery strategy of the Portuguese Tourism sector. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)