Belize Going Gold With Reopening
Belize reopened its borders for international leisure travel and the beginning of October and in doing so, it’s making the health and safety of both travellers and locals a top priority.
To that end, Belize has introduced a Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program and tourism safe corridor.
The Gold Standard Recognition Program aims to certify accommodations and tour operators that have adapted new behaviours and health and safety procedures while ensuring minimal impact on guest experience.
In this first phase of reopening, only Gold Standard hotels approved to reopen within the tourism safe corridor will be available to travellers; the safe corridor is a temporary measure and will minimize the interaction between tourists and the local community to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Karen Bevans, director of Tourism at BTB, said: “We need to think of our citizens as well; and these new measures protect them while also setting the stage for the safe return of international travellers to enjoy the Belizean experience and support our tourism industry.”
The Tourism Gold Standard program is a nine-point system designed to enhance Belize’s health and safety standards by implementing new procedures, including the mandatory use of face masks, social distancing, contactless guest solutions, enhanced room cleaning, daily staff and guest health checks, and restricted capacity for restaurants and tours.
More on Belize’s reopening protocols can be found by going to https://belizetourismboard.org/belize-covid-19-update-for-travellers/ ; along with the approved Gold Standard hotels; new properties are added daily, so travellers are encouraged to visit often for updates.
The Gold Standard seal is an outward sign to assure travellers that tourism entities have implemented the proper health and safety protocols to protect guests.
While in Belize guests should look for the Gold Standard certificate or Safety seal to ensure that their accommodation and/or tour operator has implemented the enhanced health and safety measures and has been approved for reopening.
Said Bevans: “There’s no question that promoting this kind of safety precaution is absolutely essential for destinations that are reopening to commercial travel. While we’re hopeful that Belize’s tourism industry will rebound, we know that the only way to do so is by combating the pandemic on every front and protect our citizens and visitors.”
