INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Ministers from across the Americas have met to map a course for the sustainable growth of the region’s tourism sector, a lifeline for many millions and a key driver of economic growth. Though kept apart physically due to the extraordinary circumstances, the 65th meeting of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas saw Member States more united than ever in their determination to harness the power of tourism to recover from the economic and social impact of COVID-19 and drive future growth. The second of the UNWTO Regional Commission meetings to be held virtually, the high-level...

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILL.—Addressing health concerns and confidence of American travelers, LG Business Solutions USA is offering hotel operators a free “Clean Remote” with every new LG hotel TV. The special remote control is designed to be safer thanks to a non-porous, sealed membrane surface that can reduce bacteria and germs by as much as 99 percent compared to traditional remotes, according to Clean Remote LLC. “The Clean Remote solution pairs perfectly with LG hotel TVs to provide guests a safer in-room experience and some peace of mind,” said Mike Kosla, Vice President of Hospitality, LG Business Solutions USA. “TV remotes are the most...

My family tested the waters of COVID-19 vacation land a couple of weeks ago and took a week-long road trip from Tampa, Fla. to Savannah, Ga., to Asheville, N.C. and back. We spent most of our time in the Asheville area. We loved the Asheville and Savannah areas. In recent months I have heard from one hotel and restaurant company after another about their plans to clean like crazy to make their guests feel welcome and safe. This was my family’s first test to see if the hotels were doing what they said they were doing. Our first stop was a Holiday...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Known for their extensive body and skin care collection, Whish has now developed a new hand sanitizer to keep hands clean and help fight disease. The new 70 percent ethyl alcohol sanitizer comes in three different sizes—16 ounce, 33 ounce, 1 gallon—for both consumer and trade purposes. Key features: FDA registered facility cGMP facility Made in the USA (Scottsdale, Ariz.) Gel, not spray Denatured alcohol All packaging comes with a pump 70 percent ethyl alcohol Like all of Whish’s products, Leaping Bunny is certified, paraben free, sulfate free, DEA and TEA free, petrochemical free, phthalate free, naturally sourced, and made in...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—A psychological point demonstrated in most horror films, is that fear exacerbates distrust in others. Although the hotel industry is striving to implement stringent hygiene initiatives to protect guests, it is the diminished trust caused by fear of an invisible virus that is the final challenge hotels face in cementing guest confidence. Guests want certainty that their room is being precisely cleaned and sanitized every single time. To aid hotels in this challenge of the post-pandemic era, a Miami-based tech innovator, Creating Revolutions, has launched its groundbreaking CLEANtracker technology. CLEANtracker is specifically designed to give hotel guests proof...

NEW YORK—The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd announced its Healthy Stays commitment with enhanced cleanliness standards and protocols for its 430+ worldwide members. For more than nine decades, Leading Hotels has been at the forefront of creating the highest standards that have set the bar for worldwide luxury hospitality. The passionate hoteliers of its independent, family-led hotels have welcomed guests for generations with remarkable care. During the pandemic, Leading Hotels’ Healthy Stays commitment is a continuation of the meticulous standards members have abided by for nearly a century. “The health and safety of our guests and colleagues is our...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the release of the 2019 Social Impact and Sustainability Report Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity. Protecting the Planet. The report builds on the company’s commitment to create a more sustainable future, while striving to make a more positive impact in the lives of its employees, guests and in the communities where the company operates. In November 2019, MGM Resorts launched its new social impact and sustainability vision called “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet.” A core component of that vision included a set of long-range goals through 2025 and an alignment...

SHERMAN OAKS, CALIF.—Working in an industry that has patients, customers or clients coming and going throughout the day requires disinfecting and cleaning items frequently to help prevent the spread of germs. But most workers do not have time to deep clean every day and the products that are currently on the market do not have lasting results and need to be used daily to be effective. GTech Clean is a long-lasting disinfecting spray that quickly and safely sterilizes all types of rooms, equipment, and vehicles. It is used and trusted by first responders across the country to disinfect their...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Hotel occupancy is rising, and hotel staff have begun to return to work. While safety and health are always top priorities for the industry, concerns about COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic make daily wellness even more important. To address these concerns, Hotel Effectiveness has launched a powerful new enhancement to the MyHotelTeam application, Team Wellness Check-In. Hotel Effectiveness, with its award-winning labor management technologies, is used by more than 4,500 hotels to manage more than $15 billion in labor costs each year. The Team Wellness Check-In will facilitate a safe and efficient return-to-work process through a simple and secure,...

To further expand the hotel industry’s Safe Stay initiative, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) this week announced COVID-19 Precautions for Hotels, an online course developed in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and created to help hotels train their staffs on the enhanced safety and cleanliness guidelines. The new training course was created in consultation with the AHLA’s Safe Stay Advisory Council and represents a united industry approach around the Safe Stay guidelines endorsed by all major U.S. hotel brands, hospitality associations in 50 states and Canada, and thousands of hotel properties across the...