Articles tagged “cleaning programs”

The hotel industry needs a third-party verification system for the litany of new Covid cleaning and safety measures. In a crowded field of privatized competitors, it isn't clear if Unite Here Local 11's will become the industry standard — but hotel guests and workers should welcome its transparent approach.

The opportunities for steep discounts on hotel real estate from the pandemic are fading, as property owners are increasingly optimistic about what the vaccine can do for summer travel demand.

Several companies want to be the Michelin Guide equivalent for post-pandemic hotel safety standards. But early corporate travel agency buy-in puts Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide's partnership at an advantage.

Independent hoteliers with smaller back offices could find a third-party company like Blue Canary useful in mapping out heightened health and safety protocols. But it isn't clear if bigger brands with compliance departments will ever find need for outside help on cleaning.

Hotel owners face rising operational costs to keep up with new coronavirus cleaning standards. While some technology platforms could trim labor costs, these offsets aren't expected to hit until tech-savvy business travel returns.

Vendors are getting creative with pandemic-related services, like the following: Passport control via facial recognition. Contactless elevators. Food-ordering without needing an app. Luggage disinfection via ultraviolet light. Mask-detecting robots.

With an ever-growing array of hotel cleaning programs launched in response to coronavirus, a governing body may be what gives travelers the biggest confidence boost to return to vacationing.

It's a good idea that Brian Chesky is now doing weekly videos with hosts. It would be more effective — but admittedly riskier — if he took live questions. It will be a long process to rebuild trust from hosts because so many feel burned by the company's coronavirus refund policy.