Press Releases
Monterey County Board of Supervisors Mary Adams and John Phillips Present Proclamation to Ted Balestreri, Bert Cutino, and Randy Venard in Recognition of Receiving the "Safe Travels" Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council
(Left to Right) Supervisor John Phillips, Ted Balestreri, Bert Cutino, Supervisor Mary Adams, Randy Venard
Only 700 Tourism Organizations in the World Have Received the Safe Travels Designation
On June 25 Monterey County Board of Supervisors Mary Adams and John Phillips recognized Cannery Row Company, the Sardine Factory and Inns of Monterey for receiving the "Safe Travels" designation from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) by presenting a proclamation to Ted Balestreri, Chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company and CEO of the Sardine Factory, Bert Cutino, Partner of the Cannery Row Company and COO of the Sardine Factory and Randy Venard, General Manager of the Inns of Monterey. Adams and Phillips are the Monterey County Board of Supervisors liaisons for the hospitality and tourism sector for Monterey County's recovery task force.
The WTTC awarded Cannery Row tourism destination, the Sardine Factory restaurant, and Inns of Monterey hotel group the "Safe Travels" stamp, the first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp initiative. 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 Supervisors Adams and Phillips on the reopening plan for the hospitality and tourism industry and establishing protocols to keep visitors safe when they visit this incredible area," said Ted Balestreri, Chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company. "We appreciate the Monterey County Board of Supervisors recognizing our safe travels stamp 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.
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. 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 Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, Restaurant Hospitality's Best Wine List in America, voted the Best Restaurant in Monterey by readers of the Monterey County Weekly, Monterey County Herald, and Carmel Pine Cone newspapers, named Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants on the Central Coast by Open Table, in addition to many other honors and awards. For more information, please visit sardinefactory.com.