TRAVEL SAFELY AND IN SOLIDARITY
In order to protect our associates, communities, visitors and the environment in which we work, we have collaboratively
the environment where we work, we have collaboratively developed a certification on health
certification on sanitary measures for community-based tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula: "travel safe and in solidarity, travel community-based tourism".
This certificate has been possible thanks to the support of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán.
and the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic
of the National Polytechnic Institute within the framework of the project "Community Tourism and
COVID-19: Local Perspectives" project of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT).
WHAT DOES THE CERTIFICATE EVALUATE?
The certificate evaluates a total of 42 criteria divided into 5 main categories:
Welcome protocol
It includes the implementation of sanitary measures upon arrival at the destinations, such as: temperature measurement, hand washing with soap and water, and an explanation of the actions we are taking to take care of each other.
Protocol for collaborators
It includes all the procedures we carry out to take care of the health of our employees, for example: promoting hand washing and constant hydration and the use of masks.
Adaptation of facilities and equipment
It includes the adjustments we have made, as well as the equipment acquired to support you in complying with sanitary measures. These include the installation of preventive signage and the redistribution of spaces to guarantee a healthy distance.
Facility and equipment cleaning protocol
It includes the actions we carry out to disinfect spaces and allow the influx of clean air, for example: ventilation of enclosed spaces and cleaning of rags and cloths.
Redesign of operations
Includes measures to reduce contact between people from different groups.
This is achieved by modifying the routes, avoiding the crossing between people. In addition to the aforementioned measures, we include some annexes for specific activities and services: tourist guide annexes, restaurants and canteens, bodies of water, boats, campsites.
HOW WAS THE CERTIFICATE PREPARED?
This certification was built through a rigorous process that lasted approximately 6 months and was divided into 8 work stages. In the first stage, the measures of 15 health prevention protocols regarding COVID-19 were synthesized, among which are the official protocols of the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and the Secretaries of Tourism, to mention a few.
From this first review, 58 criteria were obtained, which were first reviewed by the grassroots organizations and then by specialists from the Secretariat of Indigenous Health to arrive at a total of 42 criteria. All criteria were accompanied by technical sheets to document compliance with the measures, which in turn were evaluated among peers (partners are similar services) in a workshop held at Camp Yaax'ché in Calakmul. Finally, a final field verification was conducted to address any difficulties. In the following image, we share with you a summary of the process:
On November 20, 2020, in Unajil Ek Balam, the certificates of sanitary measures for community tourism were delivered to the members of the Peninsular Alliance for Community Tourism; however, it is important to inform you that this process does not end with the delivery of the certificate since we will be carrying out periodic reviews to ensure that the measures continue to be complied with in an adequate manner for the benefit of all.
However, it is important to inform you that this process does not end with the delivery of the certificate since we will be carrying out periodic reviews to ensure that the measures continue to comply adequately for the benefit of all.
WHO IS BEHIND US?
In a special way, we would like to thank the companies and institutions that gave their recognition to the efforts made by our cooperatives.
