Hotels are discovering new ways to keep their guest safe, following the Pandemic

Mar 2, 2021 3:05:09 PM Posted in News / By Vogue Hospitality

Like many industries, Covid-19 created a significant impact on the hospitality industry. Within the past year, hotels have had a historically low occupancy level, job loss, and many have had to close their doors across the nation. Hotels were one of the first affected by the pandemic as traveling was forced to stop and is still facing similar challenges.

After several months of being quarantined at home during the pandemic, there's considerable evidence of travel demand. According to Forbes, 70 percent of people are already or about to start planning their 2021 vacations. However, many are still hesitant about traveling again, and hotel managers need to adapt to meet consumers' changing expectations.

Here are our top post-pandemic travel trends to encourage visits by making consumers feel more safe, comfortable, and confident.

Hotel chains are offering on-site COVID-19 tests

Since the CDC's latest rules on international travelers, hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt are offering on-site COVID-19 tests.

Since the protocols were put in place, major hotel chains are trying to create options for guests to take the necessary precautions to achieve the safest and healthiest options for guests to travel and stay comfortably.

Hyatt has just announced its 19 resorts located in Latin America will now have COVID-19 for travelers, including accommodations for guests to make sure all their needs are met for future travel situations and maintaining protocols. This includes helping guests make their testing appointments as well as providing transportation for those appointments.

Hotels are providing a New Standard of Cleanliness

Hotels are establishing a new standard of cleanliness, with new health guidelines for staff and guests, from when first checking in to when they check out. Hotels like Hilton are working with brands like Lysol and Mayo Clinic to set a standard of hygiene guidelines following specific instructions to reduce the effects of COVID-19.

The goal is to create awareness, manage leadership programs, and educate everyone involved on science-based research to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Hilton CleanStay Room Seal: Add an extra measure of assurance by placing a room seal on doors to indicate to guests that their room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned.

10 High-Touch, Deep Clean Areas: Extra disinfection of the most frequently touched guest's room areas – light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats, and more.

Contactless Check-In: Hilton will double-down on its award-winning Digital Key technology for guests who desire to have a contactless arrival experience. Guests can check-in, choose their room, access their room with a digital room key, and check-out using their mobile devices through the Hilton Honors mobile app at participating hotels. Hilton will continue to expand its Digital Key capabilities to common doors and access points throughout the hotels.

Innovative Disinfection Technologies: Hilton is exploring the addition of new technologies, like electrostatic sprayers – which use an electrostatically charged disinfecting mist – and ultraviolet light to

Click here to see the Hilton Standard of Cleanliness Full list.

New year, New COVID-19 Policies

Though the recent pandemic has shaken the hospitality industry, hotels are taking the steps they need to exceed travelers' expectations and overall safety. Not only are these hotels creating new cancellation policies and improving cleanliness procedures, but taking those next steps to properly adapt to new COVID regulations.

Here are policies based on hotel websites that are taking a step towards a safer and brighter future in 2021.

Social distancing: Specific policies that ensure the appropriate social distance between guests in common areas.

Rooms blocked: Policies that ensure that guest rooms are not accessed for a specific number of days between reservations or after cleaning by staff.