The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is launching a new health and hygiene program for tourism-related businesses. 

Most notably, the program that will grant a “gold-star” validation seal to tourism businesses that implement the highest health and safety measures. 

It’s a two-level system: first, a Tourism Health and Safety Operational Guide, with mandatory measures to safeguard the health of employees and visitors. 

The second is the aforementioned “Health and Safety Seal,” which certifies all businesses that have either met or exceeded the implementation of the measures. 

The program includes the creation of wellness checkpoints; new check-in processes and the completion of a Travel Declaration and Contact Tracing Form; social distancing measures; augmented cleaning and disinfecting protocols and training on the use of personal protective equipment. 

The PRTC said it expected the “vast majority” of tourism-related businesses in Puerto Rico would be practicing the measures.

The aim of the program is to “elevate Puerto Rico’s tourism industry and position it as the new gold standard in destination health and safety,” according to a statement from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. 

The program will apply to all tourism businesses, including hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, casinos, restaurants, bars and other outlets. 

“These operating guides and the certification program are vital for the reopening of the travel and tourism sector in Puerto Rico and are important factors that will place us in a highly competitive position once the travel and tourism market reopens,” said Carla Campos, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “When making their travel plans, consumers will consider the destinations best prepared to provide them with the necessary measures and resources to protect their health. Collective participation in its implementation, both by companies and customers, will be key to adopting the necessary personal habits and practicing social responsibility. This is the best way to offer our local public and tourists the safety and hygiene standards that they expect and deserve.”

— CJ