Hyatt Joins Other Hotel Chains in Enhancing Cleaning Protocols
by Jessica Montevago
Hyatt’s commitment includes Global Biorisk Advisory Council accreditation, hotel-level sanitization specialists, and a working group of trusted medical and industry advisors. Photo: Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation is the latest hotel chain to release new cleaning protocols in the wake of COVID-19, joining Marriott and Hilton.
Next month, Hyatt plans to introduce Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation at all of its 900 hotels around the world. The council, made up of leaders in the microbial-pathogenic threat analysis and mitigation space, is a division of ISSA, the global cleaning industry association and will provide detailed training with internal and third-party audits.
Hyatt will also appoint “Hygiene Managers” at every hotel by September 2020 to ensure properties stay up to date with new guidelines.
The new protocols include social distancing guidelines, prominent hand sanitizer placement, food safety and hygiene protocol implementation for restaurants and room service, and increased cleaning frequency with hospital-grade disinfectants on high-touch surfaces, shared spaces and in guest rooms.
“We must critically examine the hotel experience from every vantage point – from our rooms and our lobbies to our spas and dining – bringing in the latest research, technology and innovation to make that happen,” Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt President and CEO, said in a statement.
To ensure employees safety, Hyatt will implement daily surveys to gauge colleague comfort, a hotel’s cleanliness, working order and customer service, “enabling hotel leaders to address opportunities, make adjustments as necessary and meet colleagues’ needs in real time.”
Hyatt has worked with medical experts from organizations like Georgetown University Medical Center, American Airlines, Ecolab and the Global Wellness Institute to develop the program.
Leaders from Hyatt, along with other major hotel chains, have also joined the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Safe Stay” council to put together industry best practices, ranging from new cleaning standards and strong cleaning products, to social distancing guidelines, to overall better transparency with guests during their stays. The enhanced guidelines will be announced soon.
