The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has introduced an industry-wide, enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to allow hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees once the economy reopens.
The “Safe Stay” set of protocols was developed under the guidance of an advisory council, comprised of industry leaders representing all segments of the hotel industry and in conjunction with public health experts to advance best practices for protecting against the coronavirus. The enhanced guidelines are rooted in recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“Safe Stay was developed specifically to ensure enhanced safety for hotel guests and employees. While hotels have always employed demanding cleaning standards, this new initiative will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “The industry’s enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols will continue to evolve to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.”
The Safe Stay guidelines are intended to be iterative and will be revised as needed based on the recommendations of public health authorities, in compliance with any federal, state and local laws. the include guidance on the following:
- employee and guest health;
- employee responsibilities;
- cleaning products and protocols;
- and physical distancing.
Development of the Safe Stay initiative also included guidance from Ecolab, a global leader in cleaning and disinfecting solutions and services that collaborates with the U.S. EPA, FDA, CDC, WHO and other organizations to help establish and promote best practice guidance, training and solutions. Ecolab has partnered with the hotel industry for more than 90 years.
“While the hotel industry was one of the first affected by the pandemic, we have collectively stepped up to serve their communities during this public health crisis,” said Rogers. “Thousands of hotels across the country, more than half of those small businesses, are working tirelessly during this uncertain time to support their employees, healthcare workers and first responders. When the time is right, hotels will be ready and eagerly welcome back America’s travelling public.”
The Stay Safe Advisory Council includes representatives from the following companies:
- Accor
- AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association)
- Aimbridge Hospitality
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Choice Hotels International
- Davidson Hotels & Resorts
- G6 Hospitality LLC
- Hersha Hospitality Trust
- Hilton
- Host Hotels
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
- Loews Hotels & Co.
- Marriott International
- My Place Hotels
- Noble Investment Group, LLC
- Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
- Radisson Hotel Group
- Red Lion Hotels Corporation
- Red Roof
- Remington Hotels
- Vision Hospitality Group
- Walt Disney
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts