Coronavirus: AHIECC recognised as the first safe MICE facility in the region
The venue was assessed reached new normal standards of social distancing guidelines; compliance with hygienic practices and measures, as well as surveillance
Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre has been certified as the first safe MICE (meeting, incentive, convention & event) facility in the region by Bureau Veritas.
According to the global inspection house, the Al Hamra Real Estate Development-built venue has effectively adopted health, safety and hygiene protocols as defined under its ‘SafeGuard Assurance Programme’ – which assesses whether a facility has protective protocols in place “to support business resumption”.
The venue was assessed on factors including respect for social distancing guidelines; compliance with hygienic practices and measures, as well as surveillance and management of any issues.
The venue is located on the shores of Ras Al Khaimah which was also recently awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp and certified as the first destination in the world as safe by Bureau Veritas.
“This certification further underlines the group’s commitment to deliver a safe environment for event organisers and visitors whilst achieving operational excellence in the ‘new normal’,” said Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in a statement.
Preventive measures introduced include, among others, health assessment and screenings of staff and visitors, enhanced health and hygiene practices across the venue including catering, availability of hand sanitisers, enforcing social distancing measures, re-evaluation of timelines to avoid queuing and bottlenecks, the reduction in the venue participant capacity as appropriate and use of hybrid setting to enable participants to engage virtually, explained the venue: “With the resumption of its operations and as travel starts again, the certification is an important tool in boosting the MICE tourism sector, giving organisers and visitors the confidence that they can safely and comfortably host and enjoy their time in Ras Al Khaimah.
It added: “Al Hamra will continue to work closely with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority to support the recovery and reassure visitors of the highest hygiene standards as well as attract events both domestically and internationally.”
