Tourism Gold Standard programme for hotels will continue despite relaxed regulations, Tourism Board says

By Benjamin Flowers: The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announced this week that, despite relaxed COVID-19 regulations, the Tourism Gold Standard (TGS) certification programme for hotels and other tourism-related properties will continue.

The BTB explained that the programme will continue until further notice, and is being extended for the benefit of all industry stakeholders.

“With a countrywide ease of COVID-19 related health protocols being legislated, the BTB remains mindful that the pandemic is still a reality, and that our industry still holds great responsibility in safeguarding the health and safety of our guests and of our tourism workers,” the BTB said.

The BTB also announced that the Registrar of Hotels will be instituting the following condition for licensing. Those conditions are:

1) All new and renewing accommodations and tour operators must be approved for Gold Standard to qualify for a license, until further notice.

In addition, the following amendments to the TGS requirements will be instituted effective April 11th, 2022:

2) Appoint a Program Manager:
a. Removal- Mandatory training for Program Manager and Alternate not required.

3) Implement Monitoring and reporting:
a. Removal- temperature checks prior to entry into property, only COVID-19 Symptomatic log required.

4) Ensure Social Distancing Protocols:
a. Removal- Social distancing signage requirement removed.

5) Implement Cleaning and Sanitization:
a. Adjusted to Recommendation: Masks recommended for front-line personnel only.

6) Ensure Clear and Consistent Communication:
a. Adjusted to Recommendation: Recommended to maintain best practices signage throughout property, especially signs that promote hygiene and sanitization.
b. Removal- flexibility with cancellation and refund policies no longer required.
c. Adjustment: Sanitization stations required at entrance area only.

7) All other aspects of the TGS program will remain as is.

The BTB added that all current TGS certified businesses will not be required to resubmit any new documentation to keep their certification but that they are being asked to make necessary adjustments internally to their respective Standard Operating Procedures to address the new requirements by the Registrar of Hotels.

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