Press Releases

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the world's first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp initiative, awarding Cannery Row tourism destination, the Sardine Factory restaurant, and Inns of Monterey hotel group the "Safe Travels" stamp. Cannery Row is the first tourism business on the Central Coast to receive this designation recognizing the implementation of rigorous safety protocols. Likewise, the Sardine Factory is the first restaurant and Inns of Monterey the first hotel group in Monterey approved for the Safe Travels program.  The Inns of Monterey hotel group includes the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn, Victorian Inn and Wave Street Inn.

"Over the past few months we've worked closely with the WTTC and Monterey County Health Department to enact safe protocols among Cannery Row area business that will keep visitors safe when they visit this incredible area," said Ted Balestreri, Chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company. "We appreciate the WTTC stamp recognizing our hard work and attention to safety."

Eligible businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, and transportation and airports may use the Safe Travels stamp once they implement all health and hygiene protocols outlined by the WTTC.

WTTC Safe Travels protocols include following guidelines for restarting operations, establishing staff preparedness training, demonstrating protocols are in place for enhanced cleanliness and hygiene best practices, implementing requirements outlined by health authorities, and integrating innovation. The Safe Travels protocols also follow guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At this time, only 700 tourism organizations in the world have received the Safe Travels designation.

The goal of the program is for travelers to be able to recognize governments and businesses around the world that have adopted the standardized safety and hygiene protocols outlined by the WTTC, helping consumers feel comfortable with where they travel, and bringing back confidence to the travel & tourism industry.

The Safe Travels program has been embraced by the world's major tourism groups including the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Trip.com and Expedia have also supported the Safe Travels initiative.

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About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. WTTC promotes sustainable growth for the travel & tourism sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, drive exports, and generate prosperity. Council members are the chairs, presidents, and chief executives of the world's leading private sector travel & tourism businesses. In addition to individual country fact sheets, and fuller country reports, WTTC produces a world report highlighting global trends and 25 further reports that focus on regions, sub-regions, and economic and geographic groups. To learn more please visit www.wttc.org.

	About Cannery Row Cannery Row was made famous in John Steinbeck's classic novel depicting life in the "the sardine capital of the world." Today, Cannery Row is a beautiful waterfront playground where visitors from all over the world seek a California getaway as authentic as the coast itself. Cannery Row was named "One of the Seven Wonders of Monterey County" by the Monterey County Herald readers. Cannery Row remains a treasure of California's Central Coast, where a discovery awaits every type of visitor. For more information, visit the official Cannery Row website at www.canneryrow.com.
	About the Sardine Factory Established in 1968, The Sardine Factory is known for its impeccable service, wonderful décor, extraordinary wine collection, fresh locally grown produce, delicious sustainable seafood and USDA prime beef. Over the years The Sardine Factory has hosted celebrities, movie stars, sports legends and public figures from all over the world including Clint Eastwood, Tony Bennett, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Leon Panetta, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Kenny G, Ray Romano, and Prince Albert II of Monaco to name a few. Celebrity Chefs who have dined at the restaurant include Julia Child, Chef Masaharu Morimoto, best known as an Iron Chef from the television shows Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, and Food Network star and television host Rachel Ray.  The restaurant was also one of the locations for the first film directed by Clint Eastwood, Play Misty for Me.  The Sardine Factory has received virtually every culinary, wine list and service award possible in the industry, including the "Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award", the Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and Restaurant Hospitality's "Best Wine List in America" and voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald Readers.
	About the Inns of Monterey Reflecting the warm hospitality and spirit of the Monterey, California, the Inns of Monterey is a collection of five boutique hotels each offering distinctively different Monterey experiences for a wide range of guests; whether romantic, honeymooner, business traveler, vacationer, or family. The collection includes the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn, Victorian Inn and Wave Street Inn. Each of the Inns of Monterey boasts genuine hospitality, luxurious guest rooms and suites, unique amenities, dining and spa experiences in perfect settings in either downtown Monterey and on or around Cannery Row. For more information: innsofmonterey.com; 800-232-4141.