The coronavirus outbreak has brought hotel cleanliness to a new, heightened level of attention, and hotel companies are responding with enhanced sanitation protocols and procedures. In addition, Marriott International on Tuesday launched the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council, which is developing new hospitality standards "designed to minimize risk and enhance safety for consumers and Marriott associates alike," the company announced.
The council is chaired by Marriott chief global officer of global operations Ray Bennett, who will receive input from internal leaders in housekeeping, engineering, food safety, occupational health and employee well-being, as well as from outside experts. Advisory members include Dr. Ruth L. Petran, Ecolab senior corporate scientist, food safety and public health; Dr. Michael A. Sauri, Adventist Healthcare infectious disease specialist; Dr. Richard Ghiselli, head of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Purdue University; and Dr. Randy Worobo, professor of food microbiology in the department of food science at Cornell University.
The company also is introducing new sanitation technologies in the coming months, including electrostatic sprayers with disinfectants recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to treat known pathogens. These will be used to clean and disinfect guest rooms, lobbies, gyms and other public areas. In addition, the company is testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing keys for guests and devices used by employees. The company already is using hospital-grade disinfectants for cleanings now done with increased frequency, and disinfecting wipes will be placed in each guest room.
To allay concerns about Covid-19 person-to-person contact, Marriott will install signage in its lobbies to remind guests to maintain social distancing protocols and will remove or rearrange furniture to allow more space for distancing. It also provides contactless options for check-in and check-out, room access, requests and room service. It also is evaluating adding partitions at front desks and is working to provide masks and gloves available to employees. In addition, Marriott will install more hand-sanitizing stations at entrances to its hotels, near the front desk, elevator banks, and fitness and meeting spaces. For food safety, the company is enhancing sanitation guidelines and modifying operational practices for room service and designing new approaches to buffets. No additional information on these latter elements were available.
Marriott isn't the only hotel company to address the need to enhance cleanliness protocols.
Best Western has upgraded its cleaning methods and is moving toward a hands-free check-in using its mobile concierge and texting, according to a company spokesperson. In rooms, the company has removed items that may allow for the transmission of Covid-19, including decorative pillows, scarves, laundry bags, amenity trays, pens and notepads. For breakfast, more prepackaged options are available, and the use of bulk dispensers has been reduced.
Choice Hotels also has increased its cleaning products and protocols, with vendors offering training to meet these new standards, according to a company statement. It, too, has adjusted its food and beverage service to offer more prepackaged options.
Hilton Worldwide has increased the frequency of cleaning public areas and has continued the use of hospital-grade disinfectant and increased the use of hand sanitizers, according to a company statement. It also internally has shared with managed and franchised properties extra cleaning protocols, infection control guidelines and educational material for employees, according to a company spokesperson. Hilton also will continue to adjust its food and beverage service to comply with current food safety recommendations.
Hyatt Hotels Corp. also has enhanced its cleaning measures in public areas including lobbies, fitness centers, restaurants, gift shops and business centers, and engaged a third-party cleaning provider to conduct a deep cleaning across high-traffic areas of the hotel, according to a company spokesperson.
InterContinental Hotels Group has supplemented its health and safety resources with additional Covid-19 cleanliness guidance, training and information, including adding response teams to provide around-the-clock assistant at hotels and increased frequency of cleaning of public areas and high-touch points in guest rooms, according to a company spokesperson. The company also is reviewing food and beverage service.
Radisson Hotel Group is taking extra measures to ensure its hotels are following guidelines supplied by local departments of public health and the CDC. In addition, it is placing hand sanitizer dispensers and/or wipes in high-traffic areas and has enhanced cleaning procedures throughout the hotel with a focus on commonly touched areas.
(Update, April 22): Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has partnered with third parties, including Ecolab, to provide hotel employees with training on enhanced disinfection procedures, including enhanced food safety measures, and to provide industry-standard cleaning and disinfecting supplies, according to a company spokesperson.