Around the world, hotel chains have been leading initiatives to boost hygiene measures in the time of COVID-19.

Radisson Hotel Group announced its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, a new program of in-depth cleanliness and disinfection procedures, in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

One of Radisson Hotel Group’s highest priorities is the continued health, safety and security of its guests, team members, and business partners. The company has conducted a thorough review of all existing health and safety processes and worked with a team of experts to develop and validate additional protocols. These enhanced protocols, operational guidance and comprehensive health and safety procedures validated by SGS, will be adapted based on local requirements and recommendations, to ensure guests’ safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol will further strengthen Radisson Hotel Group’s existing rigorous sanitation, cleanliness and disinfection guidelines at hotels globally.

These guidelines include hand sanitizing stations at all entrances, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and protective screens, enhanced and recorded cleaning and disinfection frequency, social distancing in all areas of its hotels, including in the Meeting & Event facilities, training in local, Centers for Disease Control, or World Health Organization recommendations and health guidelines, reiteration of food safety standards and comprehensive staff training. Radisson Hotel Group’s enhanced cleaning and disinfection guidelines have been developed in collaboration with global hygiene solutions provider, Diversey, by uniting best-in-class cleaning and hygiene solutions with reinforced protocols and patented technology designed for healthcare.

Radisson Hotel Group will be introducing an official label of cleanliness and disinfection issued by SGS to ensure the highest Cleanliness, Hygiene and Safety standards, as confirmed by SGS through a centralized validation process. Under this program, individual hotels can receive an approval label upon completion of a comprehensive local audit including on-site testing using the latest technology.

Radisson Hotel Group will also soon announce an extension to its brand commitment which includes 20 Steps and an additional 10-Step protocol for Meetings & Events. The company expects to complete all the necessary operational details of this program over the next few weeks. Principles under consideration include:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection frequency of all hotel areas, paying special attention to high-touch items
• Stations installed with alcohol-based hand sanitizer and gloves at the front entrance and hotel public areas
• All room keys disinfected and presented safely upon check-in
• Express check-out process available for guests to minimize contact
• Cash-free methods of payments available and encouraged
• Door hangers displayed with cleaning and disinfection procedures in each room
• Comprehensive hygiene and preventions training programs for team members
• Team members provided with Personal Protective Equipment such as masks and gloves

High quality and sophisticated service combined with authenticity and personal care is one of the highest maxims of Kempinski Hotels. To provide the top level of service and guest comfort even during and after the current situation, the international luxury hotel group with European roots has launched the “Kempinski White Glove Service”. In light of the fact that some of the closed Kempinski Hotels have now reopened their doors, the Kempinski operational strategy and quality management team has launched this extensive service covering all areas of the luxury hotels while keeping in line with the regional safety and health regulations as a top priority.

To fully support the execution of the “Kempinski White Glove Service”, an extremely comprehensive guidebook has been launched by the operational strategy and quality management team. The 50 pages guidebook meticulously treats any kind of measures to betaken in all departments of the luxurious hotels ranging from arrival of the guests to set-upof public areas, food & beverage to housekeeping as well as spa areas to meeting spaces.When it comes to the employees, they will from now on be carrying gloves during all guest interactions as well as in compliance with government regulations and advice masks, which have been produced for Kempinski by Italian hotel uniform designer Maurel, carrying the patterns of the Kempinski flower print. Part of the amenities in all guest rooms will be mini hand sanitizers as well as guest masks. While hotel teams obviously have to keep their distance to the guests of at least 1.5 metres, all furniture in public areas has to be rearranged to keep social distancing rules for the convenience of guests. Enhanced cleaning plans are provided by hygiene products supplier Diversey through wall charts and online guidelines to visualize step by step the flow of disinfection and cleaning of all hotel areas. Sanitizing stations will be spread throughout each hotel, key cards will be disinfected before and after usage, cloth towels in public toilets replaced by one-time-usage disposable towels and professional air purifiers provide clean and fresh air.

Hilton has also announced a new hygiene program designed to reassure existing travelers and tempt back those who will be looking to travel in coming months. It includes room seals to demonstrate to guests that no one has accessed the room subsequent to the room being cleaned.

To create the new initiative, Hilton has teamed up with RB, the maker of Lysol and Dettol, as well as having a consultation with the Mayo Clinic to develop elevated processes.

The new program, which begins in June, is called ‘Hilton Clean Stay with Lysol protection’ in North America and ‘Hilton Clean Stay’ in the rest of the world.

Hilton says that the program will be “…a rigorous system that incorporates RB’s trusted know-how and scientific approach to cleaning practices and product offerings. Experts from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team will advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning and disinfection protocols”.

Hilton says the goal of the new program is “to provide guests with assurance and peace of mind when they stay at any of Hilton’s more than 6,100 properties representing 18 brands. The initiative will create a focus on cleanliness that will be visible to guests throughout their entire stay – in their guest rooms, restaurants, fitness rooms and in other public spaces.”