Los Cabos designated as world's first Sharecare health security VERIFIED™ destination

Rhea-AI Summary

Los Cabos has become the world's first VERIFIED™ travel destination through a collaboration between Sharecare and the Los Cabos Tourism Board. This initiative, crucial for the region's tourism-dependent economy, ensures participating hotels meet over 360 health standards, promoting safety during the pandemic. With 80% of the local economy reliant on tourism, this verification fosters traveler confidence. Most hotels in Los Cabos are now VERIFIED™, with continued support from Internova Travel Group to market this distinction, enhancing the area's appeal as a safe travel destination.

Positive

• Los Cabos becomes the first VERIFIED™ travel destination globally.
• 80% of the local economy depends on tourism, highlighting the importance of health security verification.
• A majority of hotels in Los Cabos have achieved Sharecare health security verification.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA and LOS CABOS, Mexico, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, and the Los Cabos Tourism Board today announced that Los Cabos – the region located along a 20-mile corridor on Mexico's Baja Peninsula – has achieved Sharecare health security verification, becoming the world's first VERIFIED™ travel destination. To achieve this designation, the Los Cabos Tourism Board successfully led an effort to make Sharecare health security verification with Forbes Travel Guide a universal standard among the region's hotels and resorts.

In Los Cabos, which encompasses the coastal towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, tourism is the heartbeat of the region; it not only comprises 80% of the local economy, but also 90% of residents rely on the industry in some form. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Cabos Tourism Board adopted several measures to prioritize the health and safety of visitors and the tourism workforce, while aiming to reduce the economic impact and business closures due to COVID-19. To welcome travelers back to the region's hotels and resorts with confidence and promote Los Cabos' economic vitality, the tourism board partnered with Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide to launch a local initiative through which it encourages and supports each property in becoming Sharecare health security VERIFIED™. Hotels and resorts earn this designation by verifying their health protocols on an ongoing basis across more than 360 expert-validated standards to minimize the risk and impact of public health events such as COVID-19. As a result of the regional effort led by the tourism board, a majority of the hotels and resorts within its coverage area have achieved this verification to date.

"We are proud of the work done by all the hotels in Los Cabos to achieve the Sharecare verification. As Mexico's top luxury destination, we are committed to providing a safe travel environment. In addition to our own health and safety program, Los Cabos With Care, A Safer Way to Get Away, this VERIFIED™ badge will be influential in elevating Los Cabos' perception and providing confidence to international travelers looking for a safe and secure place to visit," said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism Board. 

As a Sharecare health security VERIFIED™ hotel or resort, each property has earned the right to display the VERIFIED™ badge – an easily identifiable seal of approval that signals to guests and employees that the facility complies with public health protocols and best practices. Guests and travel booking agencies also can search for VERIFIED™ hotels and resorts in Los Cabos by visiting forbestravelguide.com/verified. To date, more than 500 hotels, resorts, and venues in 50 countries have achieved health security verification from Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide. However, Los Cabos' status as the first VERIFIED™ destination reflects both the locally led effort to make health security verification a region-wide standard and the successful achievement of the VERIFIED™ badge by a majority of properties within its bounds.

"By taking this region-wide approach to health security verification, Los Cabos is building the confidence and assurance travelers need – as well as the workforce and communities who rely on these industries – to enjoy the benefits of travel while minding their well-being," said Hermann Elger, executive vice president and general manager of travel, entertainment, and health security at Sharecare. "On behalf of Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide, we commend the Los Cabos Tourism Board for its leadership in not only prioritizing the health and safety of those who live, work, and play within the region, but also promoting the livelihood of the Los Cabos tourism industry."

In addition to the VERIFIED™ badge achievement, Internova Travel Group is providing marketing support to Los Cabos hotels and resorts by recognizing the region's VERIFIED™ distinction through its SELECT Hotels & Resorts program. Through this program, Internova, which previously adopted the VERIFIED™ platform for the 50,000 hotels and resorts booked through its systems, brings exclusive consumer amenities to the world's most distinguished premium properties. 

"We are excited to partner with Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide to promote our hotel programs in a destination that has put health security and safety at the forefront of the travel experience," said Faisal Sublaban, president and CEO of Bonotel Exclusive Travel, which includes Internova Travel Group's SELECT Hotels & Resorts and Worldwide Hotels programs. "The health security verification of Los Cabos will help restore confidence in travel, and, as travel resumes, Los Cabos will continue to be one of the most coveted destinations for travelers around the globe." 

Sharecare health security VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide is a comprehensive facility verification that addresses the critical need to establish confidence with guests and travel planners in the age of COVID-19 and beyond. Going far beyond basic facility standards, VERIFIED™ establishes a consistent global baseline for health security, covering health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, ventilation, physical distancing, the guest experience, and health safety communication with guests and employees. Additionally, participating hotels have the option to track daily employee virus screening results and provide relevant tools for guests and visitors including clinically validated health screeners and information and updates on that facility's guidelines.

Learn more about the Los Cabos Tourism Board and its public health and safety efforts at www.visitloscabos.travel/health.        

About Sharecare
Sharecare is the leading digital health company that helps people – no matter where they are in their health journey – unify and manage all their health in one place. Our comprehensive and data-driven virtual health platform is designed to help people, providers, employers, health plans, government organizations, and communities optimize individual and population-wide well-being by driving positive behavior change. Driven by our philosophy that we are all together better, at Sharecare, we are committed to supporting each individual through the lens of their personal health and making high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone. To learn more, visit www.sharecare.com.

About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Started as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958, the company created the first Five-Star rating system in the United States. Today, Forbes Travel Guide's incognito inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on up to 900 rigorous, objective standards. Forbes Travel Guide also supports the hospitality industry and other service-oriented businesses such as luxury residential, healthcare and private clubs with bespoke training solutions, evaluation services and the creation of custom service standards. For more information, please visit partner.forbestravelguide.com.

About Los Cabos
Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world's most diverse tourism destinations. Boasting a dramatic desert backdrop nestled by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez and the iconic Arch at Land's End, Los Cabos is home to award-winning resorts and culinary offerings considered some of the finest available anywhere. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-renowned sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities add to the destination's unmatched appeal. For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, please visit visitloscabos.travel, follow us on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM and visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/los-cabos-designated-as-worlds-first-sharecare-health-security-verified-destination-301254579.html

SOURCE Sharecare

FAQ

What is the significance of Los Cabos' health security verification?

Los Cabos is the first VERIFIED™ travel destination, indicating compliance with over 360 health standards, crucial for restoring traveler confidence.

How does the health security verification affect tourism in Los Cabos?

It enhances safety perceptions for tourists, vital for a region where 80% of the economy relies on tourism.

What organizations are involved in the verification process for Los Cabos?

The verification involves collaboration between Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide, supported by the Los Cabos Tourism Board.

What is the economic impact of COVID-19 on Los Cabos tourism?

The tourism industry in Los Cabos faced significant economic challenges due to COVID-19, prompting health safety measures.

How can travelers find VERIFIED™ hotels in Los Cabos?

Travelers can search for VERIFIED™ hotels on the Forbes Travel Guide website.