SANITATION AND HYGIENE METHODS AND NORMS PROGRAMME
The whole world is coping with the repercussions of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Azerbaijan is no exception in this process and is doing its best to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of its population as well as guests of the country. Indeed, the Azerbaijani government has performed exceptionally well in taking necessary measures and has already recorded positive results in containing the spread of the virus. Along with the easing of the quarantine regime, this will lead to a gradual revival of tourism in Azerbaijan in the near future. Tourist attractions and facilities have to be geared to the sanitary and hygiene needs and expectations of domestic tourists to ensure the best protection against respiratory diseases.
SAHMAN is an example of the proactive approach of the Azerbaijani government to protect the health of visitors. The programme calls upon the tourism stakeholders to embrace a set of sanitation and hygiene recommendations as preventive measures to safeguard tourists against respiratory diseases – as a result of the COVID-19 breakout and also as a good practice.
The goal is to reinforce sanitation and hygiene across the country's tourism industry and position Azerbaijan as a safe tourism destination, as perceived by both local and international audiences. Local tourism industry representatives joining SAHMAN are required to accept a duty of compliance with the programme requirements, which are additional to the existing standards established by the respective public authorities in Azerbaijan. SAHMAN is built on the core principles of safety, multi-stakeholder cooperation, transparency, social responsibility, fairness, justice, and inclusiveness, while ensuring the involvement of all relevant partners, both public and private, through a sector-wide holistic approach.
SAHMAN is an example of the proactive approach of the Azerbaijani government to protect the health of visitors. The programme calls upon the tourism stakeholders to embrace a set of sanitation and hygiene recommendations as preventive measures to safeguard tourists against respiratory diseases – as a result of the COVID-19 breakout and also as a good practice.
The goal is to reinforce sanitation and hygiene across the country's tourism industry and position Azerbaijan as a safe tourism destination, as perceived by both local and international audiences. Local tourism industry representatives joining SAHMAN are required to accept a duty of compliance with the programme requirements, which are additional to the existing standards established by the respective public authorities in Azerbaijan. SAHMAN is built on the core principles of safety, multi-stakeholder cooperation, transparency, social responsibility, fairness, justice, and inclusiveness, while ensuring the involvement of all relevant partners, both public and private, through a sector-wide holistic approach.
583
Number of entities that have joined the project
218
Number of participants who have successfully finished the trainings
214
Number of entities that have received the SAHMAN badge
PRINCIPLES
Safety
All policies and procedures of the programme aim to ensure safe sanitation and hygiene practices and are in the best interest of travellers and industry alike.
Social responsibility
SAHMAN is an opportunity for the travel and tourism industry to show their care for the health and safety of their customers as well for the wider community.
Co-operation
All relevant public and private partners, including government authorities, business associations, NGOs, media, international (donor) organizations and local and international audit companies are involved.
Transparency
The general public, partners and wider tourism community will receive constant communication and updates on the programme and in particular the implementation process (including labelling and monitoring).
Inclusiveness
The programme, and its benefits, will be accessible to the broader tourism industry, with the first phase focusing on accommodation operators, food and beverage operators and tourist transportation operators.
Justice
The most disadvantaged businesses will benefit most from government support under the programme.
PROCESS
The Sanitation and Hygiene Methods and Norms process stages are as follows:
1
REGISTRATION
Registration on programme website
2
TRAINING
Enrollment in online training
3
CERTIFICATE
Successful completion of the training and getting a SAHMAN manager certificate
4
LABEL
Confirmation of compliance with the norms
5
MONITORING
Online and onsite monitoring
PARTNERS
