By Rabindra Rooplall

WITH Guyana preparing for its 50th Independence anniversary in May, the Tourism arm of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in anticipation of a massive influx of foreigners to participate in the various events, is encouraging homeowners to get in on the action by developing their existing facilities to offer bed-and-breakfast accommodations.According to GNBS Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lloyd David, the Bureau can assist to implement the requirements of the National Standard for Bed and Breakfast, as it was the said Tourism arm that developed the Code of Practice needed to guide the industry.

The Code of Practice for Bed-and-Breakfast facilities, he said, was approved as a national standard by the National Standards Council in 2010, and specifies the minimum requirements for bed-and-breakfast facilities operating in Guyana.
It was formulated to improve the quality of services offered by local providers of bed-and-breakfast facilities, and can be utilised by all stakeholders in the Tourism sector, but more specifically by local bed-and-breakfast providers and potential investors in this line of business.

“The standard provides minimum requirements for three categories of facilities: A, B and C categories. For bread-and-breakfast facilities to be considered as Category A, they must include self-contained double or single-bedroom accommodations with an air-conditioned unit, television, and other basic amenities, including telephone, access to a ‘mini’ refrigerator, and comfortable functioning furniture in a quiet and attractive setting,” David said.

The standard stipulates that private access to rooms is preferable; and hot water, hot-and-cold showers; fresh, clean linens and breakfast must be provided. Lunch, dinner or any other meals could be arranged on request and at an additional cost.

Requirements for facilities falling under Categories B and C are similar to those of Category A, with a few exclusions, in descending order.

The Code of Practice also addresses minimum requirements for rooms, which include sufficient size for freedom of movement, privacy, as well as requirements for beds and sheet coverings and other furniture.

Electrical installation, fire safety, hygiene and pest control are also addressed by the standard.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), he said, provides guidance and monitoring of facilities endeavouring to meet the requirements outlined in this Code of Practice.

The Authority, he said, is also working to promote facilities which are registered and inspected according to the requirements of the Code of Practice.

“The quest to fulfill the growing needs to provide quality service and comfortable accommodation to all categories of tourists and other visitors to our country would be tested during the upcoming national celebrations,” David noted.

Acquiring a copy of this standard and implementing the requirements therein would certainly aid entrepreneurs and operators in the tourism industry, particularly providers of bed-and-breakfast facilities, to offer a level of service that can satisfy the accommodation needs of visitors.

Copies are available upon request from the Technical Standards Information Unit of the GNBS.