Pata submits SOP for tourism sector amid pandemic
Covid-19 in Bangladesh
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata)-Bangladesh chapter has submitted a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) to the Bangladesh Tourism Board to reopen the tourism and hospitality sectors amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The "Hygiene Safety and Operational Protocols for Tourism Service Providers" draft SOP was submitted at a virtual event on Monday.
"It is the first SOP prepared in Bangladesh according to Pata global guidelines amid the pandemic. We have submitted it to the government authority which may help for a state-declared SOP," said Taufiq Rahman, general secretary of the Pata Bangladesh Chapter.
The SOP mentioned detailed procedures for the entire journey of a tourist – dealings with the tour guide, staying at hotels, meals in restaurants, and so on, he added.
Jabed Ahmed, chief executive officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board told The Business Standard, "We have received the SOP from Pata. We will get more from other stakeholders from the sector."
"We will draft a final one with the help of these SOPs, and will submit it to the ministry of civil aviation and tourism this week," added Jabed Ahmed.
Shahid Hamid, president of Pata Bangladesh chapter presided over the event, while Masud Hossain, managing director of Bengal Tours presented the SOP.
Among others, Ram Chandra Dash, chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation was also present at the function.
Tour operators and hoteliers said that the government-declared SOP is mandatory to attract and maintain the upcoming schedules of inbound tourists and visitors.
Though the tourism ministry has still not announced an SOP, chain and star-category hotels are following their own operation manuals.
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines recently to help the tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainably from Covid-19.
Earlier, on March 31 this year, the World Health Organization released interim guidance on operational considerations for Covid-19 management in the accommodation sector.
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