The Ultimate Belizean Getaway: Unveiling The Gold Standard In Hospitality

The Belize Tourism Board launched the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program, a 9-point program to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards. Hotels that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition are designated as Gold Standard hotels. These hotels have implemented new behaviours and procedures to ensure travellers' safety and confidence, including social distancing, contactless payment systems, enhanced sanitization, daily health checks, and designated isolation rooms for suspected COVID-19 cases. International tourists are recommended to stay at Gold Standard hotels, which include popular destinations such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

The Gold Standard Recognition Program

The Belize Tourism Board has launched the "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition Program for hotels in the country. This extensive 9-point program seeks to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards by introducing new behaviours and procedures to ensure travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize's tourism product.

Hotels that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition are designated as "Gold Standard Hotels" and are considered to have met the enhanced health and safety standards set by the Belize Tourism Board. These hotels operate within a “tourism safe corridor”, providing full service to guests to minimise interaction within the local community.

The program has received the #SafeTravels stamp of approval by the World Travel & Tourism Council, recognising the efforts of the Belize Tourism Board in prioritising the safety and well-being of travellers.

Health and safety standards

The Belize Tourism Board's "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition Program is a 9-point program that aims to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards. It does so by introducing new behaviours and procedures to ensure travellers' and employees' confidence in the cleanliness and safety of Belize's tourism product.

The health and safety standards of the Gold Standard hotels in Belize include:

• Social distancing and the use of face masks in public spaces.
• Online check-in/out, contactless payment systems, and automated ordering/booking systems.
• Hand sanitising stations across the property.
• Enhanced room cleaning and increased sanitisation of public spaces and high-touch surfaces.
• Daily health checks for guests and employees.
• Designated 'Isolation/Quarantine rooms' for suspected Covid-19 cases and action plans for handling suspected employees or guests.
• Monitoring and reporting systems to conduct non-invasive health checks and utilise the Tourism Health Information System.
• Response plans to manage Covid-19 suspect cases.
• Clear and consistent communication with employees and guests regarding COVID-19 protocols and their impact.
• Deployment of technology to reduce physical interactions, such as for transactions, check-ins/outs, and online ordering.
• Implementation of a training plan to ensure staff are prepared to manage and implement the new protocols based on their roles.

The Gold Standard program focuses on enhancing cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures across the tourism industry. It is mandatory for hotels to achieve the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition and provide full service to guests to minimise their interaction with the local community.

Social distancing and face masks

The Belize Tourism Board has launched the "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition Program for hotels in the country. This 9-point program seeks to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards by implementing new behaviours and procedures to ensure travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize's tourism product.

Hotels approved for reopening will operate within a "tourism safe corridor" and will implement the following:

Social distancing and the use of face masks are required in public spaces. Masks can be removed when seated in the restaurant or bar, and are not required when in the pool or on the beach.

Guests will be temperature checked at the entryway, and plexiglass barriers are installed at the front desk for protection.

Social distancing is implemented in the restaurant and bar, with tables and chairs cleaned and sanitised immediately after a party departs.

Pools and beach lounge chairs are arranged to follow social distancing protocols, and are sanitised between guests.

Other Measures

• Online check-in/out, contactless payment systems, and automated ordering/booking systems.
• Hand sanitising stations across the property.
• Enhanced room cleaning and increased sanitisation of public spaces and high-touch surfaces.
• Daily health checks for guests and employees.
• Designated 'Isolation/Quarantine rooms' for suspected Covid-19 cases and action plans for handling suspected employees or guests.

Enhanced cleaning and sanitization

The Belize Tourism Board's "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition Program was launched to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards. The Gold Standard is a 9-point recognition program that adapts new behaviours and procedures to ensure both employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product.

The Gold Standard program focuses on enhancing cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures across the tourism industry. The enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures include:

• Increasing disinfection of common areas, such as public spaces and high-touch surfaces.
• Providing face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers, visitors, and guests.
• Developing a response plan to manage Covid-19 suspect cases, including designated 'Isolation/Quarantine rooms'.
• Ensuring clear and consistent communication with employees and guests regarding COVID-19 protocols and their impact.
• Installing hand sanitizing stations across the property to ensure sufficient access to sanitization.

The Gold Standard Recognition Program ensures that travellers can enjoy their Belize vacation with the confidence that their safety is the hotel’s top priority. While staying at a Gold Standard hotel is no longer mandatory for entry into Belize, it is still recommended for international tourists.

Response plans for Covid-19 cases

A Gold Standard hotel in Belize is a property that has passed a rigorous 9-point checklist by the Belize Tourism Board. The Gold Standard Certification seeks to enhance health and safety standards for cleaning practices, employee and guest interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures.

The 9-point checklist includes:

• Appointing a “Gold Standard Program Manager” to implement protocols and ensure compliance.
• Implementing monitoring and reporting – conducting non-invasive temperature checks and utilizing the Tourism Health Information System.
• Ensuring social distancing protocols for staff and visitors.
• Implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures, including increased disinfection of common areas and the use of face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Developing a response plan to manage Covid-19 suspect cases.
• Ensuring clear and consistent communication with employees and guests relating to COVID-19 protocols and their impact.
• Installing sanitization stations throughout the property to ensure sufficient access to hand sanitiser.
• Deploying technology to reduce physical contact, such as contactless payment systems and automated ordering/booking systems.
• Implementing a training plan to ensure staff are prepared to manage and implement the new protocols based on their role.

Hotels that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition will also have designated 'Isolation/Quarantine rooms' for suspected Covid-19 cases and action plans for handling suspected employees or guests. These plans include:

• Meals delivered to the room
• Designated staff
• Assurance of the best possible comfort during the quarantine

Identify a Covid-19 Response Team:

Each hotel should have a designated Covid-19 Response Team, led by the Gold Standard Program Manager, that will be responsible for implementing the response plan and ensuring the safety of guests and staff. This team should include representatives from different departments, such as housekeeping, front desk, maintenance, and security.

Training and Drills:

The Covid-19 Response Team should undergo regular training and drills to ensure they are prepared to handle a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case. This includes training on the latest health and safety protocols, proper use of PPE, disinfection procedures, and guest communication.

Communication Protocols:

Clear and consistent communication is crucial. Develop a communication plan that outlines how guests and staff will be notified in the event of a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case. This includes determining the appropriate channels of communication (email, phone calls, in-person meetings, etc.) and the frequency of updates.

Isolation and Quarantine Procedures:

Hotels should have designated isolation or quarantine rooms for guests who exhibit Covid-19 symptoms or test positive. These rooms should be separate from the main guest rooms and have their own ventilation systems, if possible. Guests in isolation or quarantine should be provided with meals delivered to their rooms and have access to designated staff who can attend to their needs while minimising contact with other guests and staff.

Contact Tracing:

In the event of a confirmed Covid-19 case, the hotel should assist the local health authorities in contact tracing. This includes keeping records of guest movements, interactions, and close contacts. The hotel should also be prepared to provide information on the movements of staff members who have tested positive.

Disinfection and Cleaning:

Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures should be implemented in the event of a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case. This includes deep cleaning and disinfection of the affected guest's room, as well as frequent disinfection of common areas and high-touch surfaces.

Waste Management:

The hotel should have a plan in place for the safe disposal of waste generated during the isolation or quarantine period, including used PPE, cleaning supplies, and waste from the affected guest's room.

Staff Support:

The mental and physical well-being of staff should be a priority. Offer support and resources to staff members who may be affected by Covid-19, either directly or indirectly. This can include providing access to counselling services, offering flexible work arrangements, and ensuring that staff are fully informed and aware of the latest health and safety protocols.

Guest Support:

Guests who are in isolation or quarantine may require additional support. The hotel should ensure that these guests have access to necessary supplies, information, and resources during their stay. This includes providing guests with up-to-date information on local health services, testing facilities, and any relevant travel restrictions or requirements.

Collaboration with Local Health Authorities:

The hotel should maintain open lines of communication with local health authorities and follow their guidance on case management, contact tracing, and reporting. This includes notifying the relevant health authorities immediately upon identifying a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case.

By implementing these response plans, Gold Standard hotels in Belize can effectively manage Covid-19 cases while ensuring the safety and well-being of their guests and staff.

Frequently asked questions