ELEVATING OUR TOURISM PRODUCT WITH STANDARDS

Nov 02, 2025 Features / Columnists, GNBS, News

GNBS IN FOCUS

(Kaieteur News) – It is the beginning of Tourism Awareness Month, and our country continues to see steady growth in the tourism sector, especially in the areas of accommodation, visitor arrivals, activities and experiences.

As we continue to elevate our country as a tourist destination, it is imperative that standards be included in the cocktail of services offered to visitors. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards is committed to making these standards available to accommodation and services providers who are desirous of implementing them to further improve their facilities and services.

This week’s article provides a brief insight into several key standards, which could benefit the sector and enhance the experience of visitors to our shores. These standards include the Code of Practice for tour operators and tour guides, Requirements for bed and breakfasts facilities and the Code of Practice for quality management in the restaurant service.

The Code of Practice for tour operators and tour guides specifies acceptable practices to be used by tour operators and tour guides. It is intended to be used as a quality tool by tour guides and tour operators; present and prospective members of tour parties; and the relevant authorities and agencies responsible for tourism in Guyana.

The bed and breakfast facilities standard specifies minimum requirements for bed and breakfast facilities (A and B categories) operating in Guyana to improve the quality of services to visitors who choose this accommodation style. It addresses cleanliness, fire protection, rooms and bathrooms, electrical, pest control, waste management, maintenance and other requirements to ensure guests have a comfortable stay.

For restaurants, the Code of Practice for Quality management in the restaurant service (GCP 17:2003) ensures that the food prepared is safe and wholesome and services provided to customers are reliable. It specifies the managerial requirements necessary to ensure the efficient running of any restaurant establishment to maintain quality in the sight of its customers.

Meanwhile, GNBS also has international standards, which are very relevant and applicable to the sector. These include the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard, which focuses on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Additionally, ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System can help to address food safety aspects of the sector, providing guidance for the implementation of a Food Safety Management System extending “from the farm to the fork”.

Finally, GNBS can provide training and technical assistance to tourist establishments needing standards to enhance quality, maintain consistency and ensure competitiveness. Collectively, our country’s tourism product will not only be known for its expanding physical infrastructure but also for standardised quality services, food and amenities provided to people who are coming to experience them.

For further information on this subject, please contact GNBS on Telephone Numbers: 219-0065, 219-0066, WhatsApp 692-GNBS (4627) or follow us on Facebook.

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GNBS, Guyana Tourism, standards, Tourism Awareness month

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