A ten-point plan setting out standards for Tui to re-open tourist hotels after the lifting of coronavirus lockdown has been outlined.
The scheme is part of a more comprehensive package of measures that covers all of the operator’s service components, from retail, flights and transfers to hotel stays, local excursions and cruises.
Details of these have yet to emerge.
The new rules for hotels will be implemented across the group’s own brands such as Tui Blue, Robinson and Tui Magic Life and be made available to joint venture and hotel partners.
More: Riu publishes manual for post-pandemic hotel operations
Organisation, capacity planning and hygiene standards are included alongside “intensive” training of local staff.
“The measures will enable guests to enjoy their holidays in the knowledge that the highest hygiene standards in relation to Covid-19 have been put in place,” the company said.
The plans follow partner Rui Hotels outlining a series of post-coronavirus measures last week.
The Tui plan includes:
Hotel Organisation
1) Online check-in: Contactless check-in online by holidaymakers at many hotels via website or by smartphone.
2) Distance rule: In public areas such as in the restaurants, corridors or gyms, all employees are required to keep a distance of 1.5 to two metres between them and the guests. Tables in restaurants will only be cleaned when guests have vacated them.
3) Personnel planning: Staff will work together in fixed teams in order to “reconstruct possible infection chains”.
Capacity adjustment
4) Restaurant: To limit the number of guests in restaurants capacities will be significantly reduced. Tables will be set up at a minimum distance of 1.5 metres apart.
5) Extension of opening hours: In order to provide sufficient space for all guests, the opening hours of restaurants and other hotel facilities will be extended.
6) Entertainment and activities: Only events, sports and entertainments involving a small number of participants and without close contact will be made available. Golf or tennis can take place, but football tournaments cannot. Spas will be adapted and childcare will be organised according to new standards in line with the requirements of the destinations and guests’ countries of origin.
Hygiene & Disinfection
7) Expansion of disinfectant dispensers: The number of dispensers will be significantly increased so that guests and employees can disinfect their hands at all important contact points. For example, all locations where food and drink is offered, sports facilities and in the lobby area.
8) Room cleaning: Extensive new cleaning practices will be put in place to provide the best possible protection against potential Covid-19 viruses. All rooms will be thoroughly deep cleaned before the arrival of guests and the same “intensely robust” cleaning protocols will be applied during every guest change over. The most frequently used areas, such as bathrooms, and most used devices and appliances like TV remote controls will receive particular attention.
9) Restriction of self-service: Self-service offers such as buffets will be reduced to a minimum. Wherever possible, food and drinks will be served by staff wearing protective masks.
Extensive training programme
10) Training by independent auditors: Tui will train all employees in its own hotels. The first training documents will be made available this week.
Sebastian Ebel, Tui executive board member responsible for holiday experiences, said: “Customer surveys clearly indicate that safety and hygiene will be of paramount importance for holidaymakers after the lockdown.
“With our group-wide, integrated health and safety management system, we can ensure that our hotels meet guests’ high expectations and offer the best possible protection against infections during these unusual times.
“We are laying the foundations for an agile and safe return to business so we can be ready to offer our unique holiday experiences again as soon as possible.
“With this set of measures we are creating the framework required to ensure we can offer our guests enjoyable and safe holiday experiences as soon travel restrictions are lifted.
“Tui can be relied upon to continue working hard, in close partnership with tourist destinations around the world, towards the gradual opening up of global tourism.”
