This is one of a series of blog posts on the FUTURE OF TRAVEL in this wild time of COVID-19. Today I look at several aspects of the hotel industry.
Virtually everyone in the travel business worth talking to has conceded that business as usual won’t work in this new age of the coronavirus. Cruise ships are stepping up their game, airlines are mandating masks on board for passengers, and hotels are making adjustments of their own.
Last week, Marriott got things started by announcing a major cleanliness program that they hope will make would-be customers feel more confident in staying healthy at their properties around the world. The program includes disinfectant wipes in every room, social-distancing measures at hotels and new sanitizing technology.
Hilton followed that up the other day by unveiling its Hilton CleanStay program, which was developed in conjunction with Lysol brand cleaning products and disinfectants and with the esteemed Mayo Clinic in the U.S. That’s a smart program that likely will help the ease of nervous guests.
Hyatt this week also announced a new program.
Hyatt is the latest hotel chain to update its cleanliness measures due to the new coronavirus, relying on medical experts, industry professionals and others to ensure guests feel safe,” USA Today reported.
“We must critically examine the hotel experience from every vantage point – from our rooms and our lobbies to our spas and dining – bringing in the latest research, technology and innovation to make that happen,” Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt president and CEO, said in a statement.
By September, every Hyatt hotel is expected to have someone trained as a “hygiene manager,” who will make sure their hotel adheres to new guidelines.
These may include social distancing guidelines, prominent hand sanitizer placement, food safety and hygiene protocol implementation for restaurants and room service and increased cleaning frequency with hospital-grade disinfectants on high-touch surfaces, shared spaces and in guest rooms.
Cleaning of Canopy Hilton Hotel, Friday, April 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo by Will Newton
Here’s the USA Today story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2020/04/29/coronavirus-hyatt-announces-new-cleaning-goals-following-hilton-marriott/3046386001/
The Venetian in Las Vegas also is stepping up its game. The Las Vegas Review-Journal said this week that the hotel will have a team of emergency medical technicians available 24 hours a day to respond to suspected cases of the coronavirus when the property reopens.
The protocols, named The Venetian Clean Commitment, include more than 800 guidelines, including the use of thermal cameras, personal protective equipment for employees and enforcing social distancing guidelines.
The resort will have a team of 25 EMTs with one-third on site every day, the company said. Other changes include thermal cameras to gauge the temperatures of workers and guests.
The Review-Journal said other Vegas resorts including Wynn Resorts Ltd. and MGM Resorts International — have also said they plan to take extra precautions once they reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sands’ Las Vegas resorts are not accepting reservations, and all bookings through May 31 have been canceled.
Given how crowded a Vegas casino can get, it’s vital that these hotels bring in new rules and regulations. How they’ll manage social distancing in a casino, I don’t quite know. Will they limit the number of people at a craps table or around a roulette wheel? Do they shut down every other slot machine? I have no idea, but they’ll have to come up with something.
Here’s the Vegas Review-Journal story link: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/venetian-to-have-emts-thermal-cameras-upon-reopening-2016584/
I read the other day where some Toronto restaurants are selling gift cards in the hopes of raising cash now for future stays. It’s a great way for loyal customers to support the industry, and it provides restaurants a needed, short-term boost.
A story in USA Today says hotels are doing something similar, but giving customers a bonus for their trouble.
Oxford Hotels & Resorts which is testing the idea at four of its upscale hotels in its hometown of Chicago, is selling $100 “bonds” good for $150 in credit for use after 60 days. At least two other sites are letting hotels set their own deals. The creator of one, Caitlin Zaino von During of Hotel Credits, says the “sweet spot” among properties on the site appears to be $200 in return for $300 in future credit.
Interesting. Here’s the link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/hotels/2020/04/27/coronavirus-travel-deals-hotels-offer-deep-discounts-future-stays/3014879001/
I reached out to some of my friends at Canadian hotels and am waiting to hear back from them on whether we might see this north of the border.
