Another major global hotel brand has launched a new hygiene initiative — Hyatt.
Accompanying similar announcements by Marriott and Hilton, Hyatt has revealed plans for a new “Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment” in light of the new realities of the hospitality industry.
The program will include an accreditation process by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council at all Hyatt hotels around the world, colleague training and support resources, and a cross-functional working group of medical experts and industry professionals, according to the company.
“The world as we knew it has been fundamentally changed by COVID-19 and when we are all ready to travel again, we want to make sure that every Hyatt colleague and guest feels confident that each aspect of our commitment is designed with their safety in mind, and that we’re putting their wellbeing first,” said Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt. “To do this, 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. Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment is an important expression of our purpose to care for people so they can be their best – now and in the future.”
In May 2020, brand plans to introduce a “GBAC STARTM” accreditation through a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program that will focus on establishing hotel environments that are sanitary, safe and healthy.
GBAC is a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, and is composed of leaders in the area of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis and mitigation, designed specifically to deal with biological threats and real-time crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hyatt is the first hospitality brand to announce plans to commit to GBAC STARTM accreditation which will include training at more than 900 Hyatt hotels worldwide.
Hyatt is also developing new work procedures and mandatory trainings in “an effort to ensure safety for colleagues and guests,” the company said.
Daily colleague surveys will be introduced to measure 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.
By September 2020, every Hyatt hotel will have at least one person on property trained as Hygiene Manager who will be responsible for their hotel adhering to new operational guidance and protocols.
Those protocols could include: trainings and recertification process for hygiene and cleanliness; increased frequency of cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants on all high-touch surfaces, guestrooms and shared spaces; implementation of enhanced food safety and hygiene protocols for restaurants, room service and group meetings and events; prominently placed hand sanitizer stations throughout hotel public and employee areas and entrances; exploring purification and sanitization device installation in an effort to ensure enhanced air quality; protective masks and other equipment for hotel colleagues; and social distancing guidance in public areas across hotel properties.
— CJ