NEW YORK (June 21, 2021) — The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and Mexico’s Los Cabos Tourism Board announced today a joint effort to promote health and safety protocols throughout Los Cabos, a coastal region located in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, and Mexico’s top luxury travel destination. The meaningful collaboration will enable the tourist industry in the region to embrace the post-pandemic recovery by leveraging IWBI’s WELL Health-Safety Rating.
In response to the pandemic, the Los Cabos Tourism Board has adopted and advised on several measures to prioritize the health and safety of visitors and the tourism workforce, while aiming to minimize the economic impacts and business closures. As part of its efforts to restore travelers’ confidence and bring tourists back to Los Cabos, the Tourism Board has aligned with IWBI and will promote the adoption of WELL Health-Safety Rating across all its hotels, resorts, restaurants and other local tourist destinations.
“The WELL Health-Safety Rating is designed to help businesses of all types deploy evidence-backed health and safety measures and give their customers confidence that their well-being is paramount,” said Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO of IWBI. “We appreciate the support of the Los Cabos Tourism Board in bringing this important tool to their world-renowned hospitality community as we all work together to get back to business.”
Already, the regional travel authority has joined hundreds of leading organizations globally by enrolling its office in the WELL Health-Safety Rating. Los Cabos Tourism Board has also
The strict implementation of health and safety protocols have been critical to Los Cabos’ strong and speedy travel recovery in 2021 and we are committed to continue providing safe travel environment to all our visitors. Our partnership with the IWBI will further cement Los Cabos’ approach to safety and we look forward to working alongside our travel partners, hotels, and lodging facilities across the destination to achieve, and proudly display the WELL Health-Safety Rating seal,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of Los Cabos Tourism Board.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating was launched in June 2020 with input from the 600-member IWBI Task Force on COVID-19. Drawing on a subset of features from the WELL Building Standard (WELL), the rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified program for all new and existing buildings and space types. It is focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder engagement strategies to help organizations prioritize the health and safety of their staff, customers, visitors and stakeholders.
The strategies within the WELL Health-Safety Rating have been informed by guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers and emergency management agencies, as well as recognized standard-making bodies such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, and leading academic and research institutions.