BHA Educates Hoteliers on How to Prepare for Reopening of the Industry!

The borders and the P.G.I.A. remain closed, but the tourism stakeholders are getting the industry ready to receive guests when that changes. As a part of the preparation for the reopening, the Belize Hotel Association—through its partner Belizing.com—presented an online sensitization session with tourism stakeholders, particularly for hotels and other accommodations, on what they can expect from the tourism market and what they must do to survive the challenges caused by the pandemic. President of the Belize Hotel Association, Ted Tejada presented on the expectation of travelers during this time. Tejada pointed out that defined cleaning and sanitization protocols are going to be critical.

Ted Tejada, President, Belize Hotel Association

“Many people have been asking me; oh do you think we will have to give away our rooms? No way. We don’t have to give away our rooms. People will be asking you, do you have a room? How clean is it? What are your cleaning procedures? What are your guidelines? What is your training that you are giving to your employees before I book a room? So, this of utmost importance for you to understand. The cleaning of the room becomes the number one question that any traveler around the world will have in their mind. So, cleanliness before the pandemic was very important for us and for our guest. But as of today, it jumps to being the number one. We as a hotel have always worried about employees’ safety and security, but as of today that becomes as well a priority because if we don’t have employees to service our guests that becomes a big problem.  When guests are checking in, even before, when booking a reservation, they want to know that you are taking this seriously and that you have changed your ways and adapted new practices for cleaning of your hotel and that you are making an effort. So, signs around the hotel have to be visible. When they are coming in they should be able to see that the very moment they arrive at the airport. We can all expect that the RFP, request for proposals, to include questions about cleaning practices which will be gaining their trust.  I am asking you that once you promote your protocols and guidelines, make sure that every sales person knows what the guidelines you are using are; make sure that those protocols are highlighted on your website; put on social media and are sent in your reservation confirmation letter to your guest. Every message that the hotel sends out, that information is there. Tell them the procedures; the chemicals that you are using. So, the guests can say, “Oh I know that and I know what they are doing. They are doing the right thing.” I am telling you that those are the hotels that are going to succeed after this pandemic.”