The transformation that has impacted Guyana’s investment landscape on account of the opening up of an economy driven overwhelmingly by the possibilities that have been opened up by the country’s world class oil finds, has triggered a level of investor interest in a multiplicity of sectors, hospitality being very much among them.
Investments in the ‘sprucing up’ of the country’s two high-profile international hotels, the Pegasus and the Marriott is part of an initiative that also envisages the creation of other salubrious facilities to accommodate the visiting ‘high fliers’ who insist on the pursuit of their invest probes in an atmosphere of comfort that is attended by a generous measure of luxury. Structures that include both new hotels and high-priced apartment blocks have already materialized in an assortment of investment plans and in edifices that have already begun to take shape.
As it happens it is not just the high-flying, deep-pocketed investors that need to be catered for. It is, as well those expatriate Guyanese who have been bitten by the ‘look in’ bug and the habitual curious travelers keen to see what the contemporary fuss over Guyana is all about that seeks to find places to ‘rest their heads’ having satisfied their nostalgic cravings.
Accommodation that caters for the less than deep-pocketed visitors is beginning to occupy a fairly prominent place on the investment agenda in the form of Bed and Breakfast ventures that seek to offer equal measures of affordability and comfort.
Going forward, however, ‘standards’ are bound to be one of the critical yardsticks by which these more modest investments will be judged and it is to the considerable credit of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) that the state-run ‘measuring rod’ for quality safeguards standards on the lower rungs of the country’s accommodation industry.
The recent ‘christening’ of the Casa De Frances Bed and Breakfast at 483 Plantation Farm, East Bank Demerara by the GNBS was much more than an ordinary ‘coming out’ party. It marked (at least that is the hope) a definitive ‘fork in the road’ in terms of what one might call the comfortable yet affordable sub-sector in the accommodation industry.
The owner of the facility, Kurt French, told media representatives during last Tuesday’s ‘christening’ ceremony for the new facility that the investment plan had been contemplated within the framework of the recent wider attention which Guyana has attracted abroad. It was a ‘christening’ with a difference, a decided breakthrough for the Bed and Breakfast sector in Guyana where guests’ ratings, have ranged from ‘fairly comfortable’ to squalid.
Aspirants to ownership of ‘approved’ Bed and Breakfast accommodation would do well to ‘look in’ on the GNBS entity is prepared to trot out briefings on Bed and Breakfast certification. On Tuesday, Head of entity’s Certification Services, Andrea Mendonca, told media representatives that the process begins with the Proprietor’s application (accompanied by an application fee) and a visit to the premises shortly thereafter by GNBS officials to assess the suitability of the premises for its stated purpose.
The specific criteria ‘requisites’ which facilities must satisfy have to do, particularly, with sanitation, safety (as it relates particularly to fire hazards) bathroom facilities, safe and reliable electrical installation, waste management, water management, general maintenance and room amenities and comforts.
GNBS criteria place Bed and Breakfast accommodation in two categories………. The Category A Rooms must include a self-contained double or single bedroom, conditioning or a ceiling fan, wifi service a television set, access to a refrigerator and supplies of bottled water. The conditions also dictate that guests have access hot and cold shower, a daily change of bedroom linen while windows should outfitted with blinds or blackout curtains.
Category B accommodation should offer shared toilet and bathroom facilities, air conditioning or alternative adequate ventilation and a ceiling or movable electric fan. Breakfast and other meals may be facilitated subject to prior understanding between the occupant and the service provider. Bed and Breakfast facilities should not be construed to mean permanent stay. Bed and Breakfast licenses are valid for one year and facilities are subject to annual standards inspections by the Bureau. GNBS-certified facilities are identified by branded GNBS stickers. (Grade A, red and Grade B, green.
On Tuesday, the Proprietor of the facility, Kurt French, appeared satisfied with the fact that his facility has been afforded the GNBS’ accreditation. He explained that the project was initially envisaged as accommodation for expatriate employees in the Oil and Gas sector. The facility’s six (6) double rooms and eight (8) single rooms hotel was opened in December 2020, At Tuesday’s event, however, he appeared suitably pleased with the overall outcome.
The facility that is known as Casa de France is not French’’s first excursion into business. A certified Marine Surveyor, he is also the Proprietor of a Marine, Marine Superintendent and Boat Captain.
What the discovery of oil offshore Guyana had done for French was to open up a post-retirement entrepreneurial opportunity. It took a while for him to decide on what he considered to be a pleasing investment. The current Bed and Breakfast became the chosen option after the initial more ambitious plan to cater directly to the oil and gas sector turned out, after all, not to be pleasing to him.
French says that the facility currently enjoys an occupancy rate of around 65%. He expects that the recent GNBS certification will push that occupancy rate upwards. He is comfortable in the knowledge that his travels as a Boat Captain has afforded him valuable opportunities to absorb important aspects of the hospitality culture.
These days he is navigating hitherto unchartered waters, energized by the ‘lift’ that the GNBS’ accreditation has afforded his initiative.
