In my opinion, the STRA industry has the ability to recover quicker and stronger than traditional accommodation. This will although initially need firm and strong protocols to ensure public confidence in STRA businesses. This is no doubt an area we will compete with the hotel industry over ensuring guest safety. We must remember COVID19 is not the only easily transmissible disease and travellers will have a heightened awareness of the ease of disease transmission well after COVID19.
We should continue to reinforce to Government and the general public that STRA accommodation offers safer social distancing and limited interactions with staff, public and shared communal amenities to those of traditional hotels and resorts.
The minimal person-to-person contact combined with strong cleaning protocols will offer a safer accommodation option.
During the initial pre-opening phase, we should consider implementing minimum measures such as:
Remembering, some of these measures will only relate to while we are in the pandemic environment.
Minimum 24 hour between bookings.
This is to allow for deep and more thorough cleaning regimes. ie guests check-out Monday 10 am – next guest can arrive Tuesday afternoon (Min 1 Night in between)
Deep cleans between bookings
These should include a minimum clean using commercial grade disinfectant for all touchable surfaces. Including Keys/Swipe cards, Handles, light switches, TV – Air Conditioner remotes etc. All touchable surfaces. This is in addition to regular cleaning procedures.
Utensil Cleaning
Food grade disinfectant to clean cutlery, utensils and plates. Whilst this will be a major inconvenience to property owners and cleaners, this is one area in which disease transmission can easily be spread.
Commercial Laundering of Linen
Initially all linen should be commercially laundered, such as bedsheets, pillowcases, bath towels, tea towels and bath mats etc. Alternatively, owners should use a commercial linen hire supply company. The use of domestic washing facilities may not reach the required temperatures to kill bacteria. Professional linen supply companies chemically wash and iron at extreme high temperature for hygiene.
No Food
Prohibit the supply of food such as fruit baskets etc. No food to be supplied unless its commercially pre-packaged items. This includes supplying tea and coffee. Ie PC coffee satchels, not tin/can bulk coffee
Soaps
Commercially individually wrapped PC soaps only for bathrooms. A bottle of hand-sanitiser should also be available for guests use.
Guest Register
A register of all guest names and contact numbers for contact tracing should it be required. Normally, OTA’s will only supply the name of the primary guest making the booking. As there will most likely be other unrelated guests, STRA owners should collect all guest names and phone numbers prior to arrival.
Minimise or remove paper products
Remove paper brochures, business cards and minimise paper advertising products. There are great digital options available to deliver guest information.
These protocols will help ensure we provide the confidence required by both government and travellers. This should also ensure travellers have the same confidence in STRA properties as those cleaning regimes of the hotel industry.
Long-term, it would be beneficial for a peak industry body to look at offering industry accreditation to those STRA properties that meet regulatory requirements and a specified cleaning regime. Property owners could then display this accreditation as a form of quality assurance to travellers.
Comments