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Wednesday, June 3, 2020tourist entrepreneurs By the A.M. Costa Rica staff A new free digital platform for tourism entrepreneurs provides training for the implementation of security standards, announced the Tourism Institute. The goal of the platform is to provide training and clarify doubts on different topics to improve business management, quality, and cleaning and sanitation standards to provide safe services to tourists. Most recently, a focus on how to be better prepared for the business reopening stages during the pandemic. The platform entitled ICT- CAPACITA offers more than 100 courses, among the topics are: soft skills for tourism companies, handling complaints, wellness tourism, Costa Rican general culture, linking local companies with local suppliers, general sanitation aspects for tourist activities from covid-19, and general measures to operate a restaurant in times of covid-19. The ICT- CAPACITA platform in English language can be reached at the institute web page. "The new courses will be gradually opened, for which the different sectors will be invited to participate promptly," said the Institute in its statement. "It is important to indicate that some of the courses will have a test to pass and then users will be able to download a participation certificate." In addition to the courses, there will be talks on topics such as: • Tools to reinvent yourself in times of change • The power of positive thinking and managing emotions in uncertain situations • Quality of services in hotels, restaurants, agencies and thematic activities To access the platform, entrepreneurs must register on the website and complete the required data. In addition to tourism professionals from the Institute, other organizations worked on the design and themes of the platform, such as the Costa Rican Association of Tour Operators; the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals; the National Chamber of Tourism; the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels and the National Ecotourism Chamber among others.  In May, the Institute developed 14 guidelines for the safe reopening of companies related to the tourism sector, which had to suspend their operations due to the pandemic. According to the Institute, although the recovery of the tourism sector will be gradual, having the guidelines allows entrepreneurs to implement sanitary measures and be ready for the reopening of their business. Also, the Institute's staff are developing training workshops on the correct ways to apply the guidelines. The training will be given to companies related to the tourism sector, among others: hosting companies, adventure tourism, travel agencies or tour operators, car rentals, spas, tourist centers with pools, transportation, aerial recreational activity, aquatic recreational activity, congresses, conventions, and restaurants, among many others. Among the training topics are, for example, the use and cleaning of personal flotation devices or life jackets, paddles, helmets, kayaks, rafts, tubings, canoes, surfboards, paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, among others. Another subject that is analyzed in the training is the recommended social distancing. In this case, it is recommended to respect the principle of the social bubble and maintain six-feet of distance from each other. In the case of clients traveling alone, it is recommended to place them in smaller or individual groups, as long as there is consent from the client. According to the Institute, the guidelines they have developed are not complex to implement. These guidelines can be accessed on the Institute website. The first sessions of this training began on May 14, specifically for business owners of hotels with less than 20 rooms. In Costa Rica, small hotels with less than 20 rooms represent 83% of the country's accommodations, the Institute said. The training was also given to business owners of hotels with more than 21 rooms, where 600 hotel representatives were registered. The guidelines are essential for the safety of tourists that their hotel is following sanitizing measures to prevent any risk of infection. The Institute announced that it will continue offering training courses to restaurants and other tourism-related services. In 2019, the tourism sector generated $3.9 trillion and more than 200,000 people work in tourism-focused companies, according to statistics from the Costa Rican Central Bank. People interested in attending the training or request for more information can reach the Institute staff by emailing protocols@ict.go.cr. -------------------------- How else could tourism companies overcome the crisis caused by covid-19? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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