“Touchless” is part of the new normal when checking in to a hotel in these days of the coronavirus pandemic.
Like all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, accommodations must adjust to doing business during this global pandemic.
Pens and notepads in guest rooms are out.
Hand sanitizer is in.
More cleaning is definitely in.
Victoria Leonard, regional director of sales and marketing at Pinnacle Hospitality, said all hotel procedures have been reformulated because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s all about regaining trust again,” Leonard said.
Pinnacle Hospitality, based in Grand Blanc, Michigan, manages and develops limited-, select- and full-service franchised hotels from brands that include Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice Hotels, Best Western and Wyndham Hotels.
Clean, clean, clean
Hotel brands have developed enhanced cleaning procedures. The coronavirus pandemic has forced an industry built on cleanliness to up its game.
“Basically, guests are not touching things,” Leonard said. “Some brands are going to a mobile key, so the guest uses their phone to open the door to their room.
“Hilton has the CleanStay room seal to show that the room has not been accessed since it was cleaned,” she said. “The guest breaks the seal and enters the room.”
The Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection program features Lysol’s cleaning products, solutions and training in North America.
In addition to the Hilton CleanStay room seal, there’s extra disinfection of top 10 high-touch areas in guest rooms, including light switches and door handles.
Marriott International established the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council. Consisting of in-house and outside experts, the council is developing a new generation of global hospitality cleanliness standards. Marriott is also rolling out enhanced technologies at its properties. That includes the use of electrostatic sprayers and the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization to sanitize surfaces throughout hotels.
Leonard said the hotel brands are doing a good job of communicating their new safety and cleaning procedures to the public.
At Pinnacle Hospitality properties, front desk workers reinforce those messages. In addition, they share information specific to that property. For instance, they will remind guests that breakfast is grab-and-go or that the swimming pool is closed.
“We want our guests to be aware and to be safe,” Leonard said.