Wyndham to Require Face Masks for Guests in U.S. and Canada

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will require guests to wear face coverings, President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said Wednesday during the company's second-quarter earnings call.

The new requirement comes on the heels of updated guidelines from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), and follows similar announcements from Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group and others.

Effective August 10, 2020, face coverings will be required for guests and staff in indoor public spaces at across its 19 brands, including La Quinta, Days Inn, and Super 8.

“We all must play a role in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Ballott said in a statement confirming the policy. “This is a simple step we can take to help protect guests, team members, franchisees, and the countless communities we serve.”

In addition to face coverings, Wyndham properties have put in place other measures to keep guests safe. Disinfecting wipes will be given with key cards at check-in, complementary hand sanitizer in each guestroom, and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas.

In the U.S., over 99% of Wyndham's hotels are open. “They were able to remain open throughout the crisis during the softest days of late March and early April when occupancy across the industry fell to nearly 20%,” Ballotti said on the call. In Canada, 98% of Wyndham’s hotels are open with occupancy around 40%.

Ballotti added Wyndham “is positioned to outperform for the crisis and longer. Our business is fueled by leisure travelers, representing 70 percent of our bookings.”