A local business improvement association has received a coveted designation for promoting safety amid a pandemic.
The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) has been presented with the #SafeTravels Stamp, which is awarded to groups, organizations, and governments demonstrating safe, hygienic practices.
The distinction was awarded by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) in association with the World Travel and Tourism Council. TIAO Interim President and CEO Carol Greenwood said the DWBIA provided exemplary examples of adapting to the pandemic-altered tourism landscape and its commitment to safety.
"Tourism businesses across Canada are looking to help citizens rediscover their country," said Greenwood in a media release.
"The Stamp is an excellent way to aid in ensuring that consumers feel safe and comfortable when doing so."
DWBIA chairman Brian Yeomans is pleased to see that its commitment to safety and hygiene was recognized by the global travel industry.
"We’ve worked diligently to uphold the highest standards of health and safety," said Yeomans. "It’s a privilege to have been acknowledged that we’re adhering to global health protocols."
A recent example of the effort by the DWBIA to protect visitors and businesses is the weekly Downtown Windsor Farmers Market on Pelissier Street at Maiden Lane. With regulations in place due to a stay-at-home order by the provincial government, the DWBIA limited access to the market and invited essential merchants. Aggressive cleaning and sanitizing protocols are also in place.