The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that four more tourism businesses have been granted conditional approval to reopen.
The approval is tied to the National COVID-19 measures and GTA’s recommended Hygiene and Sanitation Protocols.
The GTA has granted permission to the Atta Rainforest Lodge, Iwokrama River Lodge, Sloth Island Nature Resort and ArrowPoint Nature Resort to begin welcoming travellers to their properties. This brings the total to nine tourism businesses that have received conditional approval to reopen and are marked as Safe for Travel.
Just over a week ago the GTA announced that the Baganara Island Resort, Hurakabra River Resort, Rock View Lodge, Waikin Ranch and Elite Kayaking & Nature Tours were approved to resume their operations, including the hosting of travellers at their properties.
The GTA has stated that there is a two-step process for tourism businesses to reopen. The first step entails submission of the business’s written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to the GTA for a desk review. The second step involves on-site inspection to verify the implementation of the SOPs and approval by the GTA.
It said domestic and international travellers are recommended to use only approved tourism businesses to book and plan their tour activities. The approvals come as lodges have shared that there is strong interest by domestic travellers to venture out to experience nature, especially after being confined to their homes for several months, according to the GTA.
Under the COVID-19 emergency measures, the GTA has been listed as an essential service and is responsible for monitoring the businesses permitted to reopen. While the operators are responsible for ensuring that their staff and clients comply with the health and safety protocols issued by GTA and the Ministry of Health. The measures state that if any fail to comply with the required protocols the Minister of Health may close the operation of the business or prohibit activities.
