Ensuring that your vacation rental is Covid-19 free will be essential to regain the trust of travelers. Major hospitality brands such as Marriott and Airbnb and tourism boards are introducing cleanliness initiatives and badges to ease travelers’ fears.
Read on to discover the initiatives that are being presented, how to implement them and find out if they can really help you increase bookings after lockdown.
Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Initiative
Airbnb is currently working with leading experts in hospitality and medical hygiene to develop a new cleaning protocol for Airbnb hosts. Their Enhanced Cleaning Initiative includes an overarching standardized protocol for cleaning and sanitation, a 24-72-hour period between stays requirement and a learning and certification program. Guests will be able to identify and book accommodations included in this program.
Vrbo’s new cleaner vacation rental program
Vrbo has also introduced a new program to help travelers find clean and sanitized vacation rentals. Their program includes cleanliness guidelines that have been developed with government, travel industry and medical experts and new search filters that will guide guests to the right property.
Vacation rental property owners will be able to indicate in their property editors if the property is cleaned with disinfectant and if they offer contactless check-in. Travelers will also be able to search for properties that have positive reviews about cleanliness.
What major hotel brands are doing
Major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton are introducing their own sanitation and cleaning initiatives that range from badges, stickers, contactless check-in to heavy-duty disinfectant sprayers.
Here are the procedures that have been announced so far:
- Hilton: CleanStay with Lysol Protection – They’ve partnered with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol to enhance their cleaning and disinfection protocols. They will also use sticker seals on doors to point out that rooms have been deep cleaned and no one has entered the room since.
- Marriott & Hyatt: Cleanliness Councils – Both companies have created a council to review procedures in place for all aspects of hotel staff and guest experiences. They will be rolling out new cleaning technologies, such as electrostatic sprayers that use hospital-grade disinfectants to sanitize surfaces. Hyatt will also have a trained Hygiene Manager at every property to conduct regular audits.
- Accor: New Cleanliness Label – They’ve partnered with Bureau Veritas, an inspection company, to develop a label certifying that their properties and premises meet health and sanitation standards.
- American Hotel & Lodging Association: Safe Stay Council – The American Hotel & Lodging Association has created the Safe Stay Council with representatives from major hotel brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Accor to align and make sure to implement norms, behaviors, and standards across the entire industry.
The VRMA & VRHP SafeHome Campaign
In addition, the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP), a subsidiary of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), has also released a series of recommendations for vacation rental owners and property managers.
The SafeHome campaign empowers its members to adopt and execute safe travel standards, as well as openly communicate with guests and employees about the precautions they are taking to help keep them safe and healthy.
COVID-19 Free Badges
Hospitality brands aren’t the only ones redefining cleanliness standards. Tourism boards and Governments have also started releasing badges that owners can use to ensure guests that their properties meet cleanliness standards.
Singapore’s “SG Clean” badge
Singapore’s Tourism Board launched the SG clean stamp for hotels and tourist attractions that meet seven criteria, including having processes in place to check guests’ temperatures.
Spain’s “Safe Tourism Certified” badge
The Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality, which has the support of the Secretary of State for Tourism and the Autonomous Communities have created a series of protocols to reopen hospitality businesses, as well as a badge to indicate that the property has been audited and follows the right cleaning processes.
Portugal’s “Clean & Safe” badge
Similarly, Portugal has also released the “Clean & Safe” seal to certify that properties affiliated with Visit Portugal have appropriate cleaning procedures.
Other cleaning & sanitized badges
Although we do recommend to follow CDC guidelines and industry protocols, we also recommend highlighting these protocols on your listing descriptions, social accounts and your own website.
We’ve created a bundle of resources that can help you create these resources. You’ll find a cleaning checklist, cleaning protocol printable template and cleaning protocol template to use on your online platforms.
Guests will feel at ease and will know they have nothing to worry about when staying in your vacation rental.
What cleaning protocol are you implementing and how are you communicating it to your guests? Leave us a comment below!