RALEIGH, N.C.—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, an award-winning hotel development and management company, has announced the launch of new cleaning protocols in their hotels, branded as “PureStay by Concord.” Developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety of guests and associates at Concord properties across North America, the program outlines procedures for guestroom and public space cleanliness and protocols. “Concord has a long-standing reputation for having the highest standards in hotel hygiene and cleanliness as the health and safety of our guests and associates has always been a top priority,” said Mark Laport, President, and CEO of...

EL PASO, TEXAS—In El Paso, Texas, a historic hotel built in 1912, Hotel Paso del Norte (Marriott Autograph Collection), has been undergoing a multi-million-dollar, multi-year renovation to bring it to the grandeur of yesteryear with a wide array of modern amenities. As part of the final touches before re-opening later this year, the hotel will be among the world’s first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels to install a state-of-the-art air filtration system throughout the hotel’s entire HVAC system. The Plasma Air system has been shown to remove 99 percent of bacteriophage in the air after 10 minutes of use. Common...

MIAMI—Infectious disease specialists and lighting industry veterans unveiled the UVC PureLight 360​, an innovative 320W UVC induction/LED disinfection and sanitization device that kills up to 99.9 percent of microorganisms, such as the common flu/cold, SARS, MERS, and H1N1, simply by harnessing the power of light. Developed with one simple goal, the UVC PureLight 360​ creates safe, clean spaces to provide peace of mind through UVC light disinfection technology in a matter of minutes. “UVC light is a proven and great approach to rapid room disinfection and is an affordable game-changing addition to disinfection technology,” said Dr. Minghsun Liu, a microbiologist,...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Shaw) is hosting a webinar with Sustainable Brands on September 1 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Titled, “The Great Indoors--Creating a Nurturing Habitat for People and the Planet,” the session brings together Shaw, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute and the International WELL Building Institute for a discussion about creating spaces designed for people and the planet. “Spending 90 percent of our time inside, we’ve become an indoor species. That is why it’s imperative that we create a nurturing new habitat that’s designed for people and the planet. And we cannot overlook the short- and long-term...

BIG SUR, CALIF.—Post Ranch Inn’s 40 rooms and suites on 100 acres of pristine Big Sur land ensure maximum guest privacy and natural social distancing. Many guestrooms are individual structures, with no interior corridors or elevators, and separate entrances. Guests rarely encounter others when walking the property or hiking the miles of dedicated trails. Post Ranch Inn has long been a leader in sustainable hospitality, including the importance of creating a healthy environment for guests and staff. In the wake of COVID-19, the management team, along with an advisory panel of experts, worked around the clock to reevaluate every aspect of...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—Several new facilities around the world have achieved GBAC STAR facility accreditation from The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. Designed to help facilities of all sizes develop a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention, GBAC STAR helps facilities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from biohazard situations like the novel coronavirus. “GBAC STAR continues to be a sought-after program because it offers credible third-party validation and provides organizations with a practical framework for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “We are excited to welcome these organizations into the prestigious group of GBAC STAR-accredited facilities.” Hyatt Hotels...

CALHOUN, GA.—Mohawk Industries is supporting safety precautions as local students, teachers and staff return to school. The company recently made several large donations in northwest Georgia prior to the beginning of the school year: Calhoun City Schools: 4,250 water bottles and 420 cannisters of disinfectant wipes; Dalton Public Schools: 500 gallons of hand sanitizer; Gordon County Schools: 6,700 water bottles, 840 cannisters of disinfectant wipes and 100 boxes to cover water fountains; and Whitfield County Schools: 500 gallons of hand sanitizer. “We reached out to our local schools and asked what we could provide that would best help students and...

PORT OF PALM BEACH, FLA.—RGF Environmental Group, Inc., a Florida-based environmental design and manufacturing company, announced The Palms Hotel & Spa is now sanitizing the air for guests and staff through installation of RGF’s PHI-Cell in-duct air purification systems. Last week, the independently owned and managed luxury resort known for its green initiatives completed installation of 320 total ‘PHI Package’ units, enough for every guestroom AC system, and all public and back-of-house areas including the lobby, gym, spa, kitchen, laundry room, and offices. “We believe RGF has the safest and most environmentally-friendly product in the industry to clean both the...

LONDON—New York Times best-selling author and behavioral psychologist, Martin Lindstrom, in association with Intertek Protek, has recently launched a COVID-safe travel tips e-book titled, “Travel Truth and Lies Unmasked.” The free e-book which is downloadable here, provides those travelling in this COVID-19 era with handy tips on how to navigate the hidden pitfalls of international travel with confidence. This fascinating and highly entertaining read shuns scaremongering in favor of a practical guide on how to navigate the patchwork quilt of contradictory international regulations, as well as the physical spaces through which we pass on our travels. As the global appetite for...

Is it just me or shouldn’t have Accor already done this for guests and visitors? Global hospitality leader Accor announced that effective immediately, all guests and visitors at Accor properties across North & Central America are required to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Accor employees have already been required to wear masks, in addition to other preventive measures implemented as part of the Group’s global ALLSAFE cleanliness label and the region’s ‘ALL Safe & Well’ wellbeing platform. “We remain deeply committed to taking the necessary steps to protect the health and...