By Shirley Thomas

THE GUYANA National Bureau of Standards is currently developing a National Standard for Bed and Breakfast facilities in Guyana. To this end, the bureau, in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority, Thursday held a Public Consultation to discuss the Draft Guyana Standard Requirements for ‘Bed and Breakfast Facilities.’

This move is in anticipation of an influx of tourists and overseas-based Guyanese coming into the country for the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary observances in the month of May, 2016.
The forum, held at the Ballet Room, Cara Lodge, attracted a large gathering of owners and potential owners of such facilities, as well as interested members of the public. They were briefed and familiarised with the Draft Standard and invited to make comments and inputs before the standard is finalised as a National Standard. The objective of that session was to garner inputs, comments and feedback regarding the standards and to suggest changes or generally improve the standard.

“That is the whole objective of this public consultation here today, because we want consensus. We don’t want it to be done in isolation. When people feel that they are a part of something, they will want to use it. The end result is that it will be implemented and not just stay on the shelves of the National Bureau of Standards,” said Lloyd David, Public Relations Officer of the GNBS.
David said a Standard was initially drafted and approved in 2010 as Guyana prepared for World Cup Cricket. But this Draft Guyana Standard was revised by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards through the Technical Committee – Tourism. It is, in effect, a revision of the GCP 28: 2010 Code of Practice for Bed and Breakfast facilities, David said.

The present initiative seeks to build on that document, while aiming at producing a tourism product that makes “living in Guyana a homely experience” for persons residing abroad, who would prefer to shy away from the formalities of the regular hotel setting.
Having been exposed to the document, and having perused it, the stakeholders present at the forum, unanimously agreed that the Draft Standard was well written and serves to raise standards. It poignantly addresses crucial issues as would serve to make guests comfortable and secure in a homely and friendly environment, where service is delivered and professionalism remains at the helm.

Mr. Roshan Khan, Chairman of Universal Peace Federation in Guyana and Mr Rupert Foster, proprietor of ‘The Bungalow’ located at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, were especially pleased and appreciative of the Final Draft Standard.
The Standard addresses, among other things: Minimum requirements for rooms; Cleanliness; Fire Protection; Bathrooms; rooms; Electrical installation; pest control; waste management; water management; the exterior of the facility; parking and general maintenance.

David said that the Bureau of Standards wants to ensure that the vetting and compilation of the Final Draft is completed before the Jubilee Celebrations. The deadline for the submission of comments by all and sundry is April 8, 2016. And immediately following that, the committee will meet again to review the comments – including those that were made at Thursday’s consultation, online, by way of letters or whatever. The changes having been made, the document will be finalised and passed by the National Standards Council and that document will then become a national standard.

At this stage, the stakeholders can begin enforcing what is contained in the document and improving their facilities. Stakeholders can be rated either in the ‘A’ category or ‘B’ category and this will be announced on the Tourism website. Through this means, overseas-based persons seeking such services can be apprised of where and on what terms accommodation can be accessed, well in advance of travelling to Guyana.
Ms. Kemie Williams of the Guyana Tourism Authority spoke on the Role of the Ministry of Telecommunication and Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority in the Implementation of the ‘Requirements for Bed and Breakfast’ facilities.
Meanwhile, Ms. Allison Butters-Grant, Chairperson of the National Standards Council, also pronounced on Requirements for Bed and Breakfast facilities, while offering user-friendly guidance and observations.
Noting that there will be Guyanese who are passionate and nostalgic about home-grown experiences, Ms Butters-Grant said it’s amazing how many people would avidly seek the Bed and Breakfast service being promoted, even in preference to the traditional hotel setting which abounds in Guyana. The choice is theirs.