A ‘Safe Stay’ campaign established by US hoteliers has been endorsed by the Global Business Travel Association
The American Hotel and Lodging Association has created the suggested hotel industry standard on cleaning practices, social interactions and workplace protocols.
Hawaii-based Outrigger Hospitality Group has pledged to meet the Stay Safe standards in addition to an in-house ‘clean commitment’ covering training, social and physical distancing, surface cleaning and disinfecting, general housekeeping, maintenance and overall host and guest health as it prepares to reopen its beach resorts.
The GBTA called on hotels to discuss the opportunities for collaboration and a joined-up approach to the recovery period, as properties around the world look to reopen and start welcoming guests.
The business travel group will be backing AHLA by lobbying the US government to support the guidelines as minimum level standard agreements for hotels post Covid-19.
Chief executive Scott Solombrino said: “GBTA is working with buyers and supplier members from all the travel verticals to find suitable solutions to manage the recovery following the pandemic.
“In the accommodation sector, each global hotel brand has their own reopening plan, but to restore consumer confidence and corporate confidence, it is vital that this sector has a common protocol for cleaning standards.
“We are delighted to support the ‘Safe Stay’ programme established by the AHLA to protect travellers.”
AHLA president Chip Rogers said: “As we reopen hotel doors and welcome back the traveling public, we want to assure employees and guests that their health and safety is paramount, and hotels are cleaner and safer than ever before.
“Safe Stay is an industry-wide effort that will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience and we appreciate GBTA for its support of this critical endeavour.”