Who stayed in your hotel last night? Were they already sick, or had they been exposed to possible illness? Did the room attendant thoroughly clean the rooms? Hotel managers never know if a hotel room has been exposed to airborne or surface germs, but there are precautions that hoteliers take that can help hotel guests leave their stays unscathed by germs. Hotel guests increasingly care about health and wellness. For instance, before booking a hotel, I always check the reviews for comments about cleanliness and housekeeping. And the very first thing I do upon entering a hotel is wash my hands....

With the busy tourist season here, many hotels focused on protecting the environment and sustainability are taking a second look at their green cleaning arsenal and asking themselves, “Are these still the best green cleaning products available?” Asking this question is not only timely but a good idea. It’s easy to get into a pattern of ordering and reordering the same cleaning products year after year, unaware that new or more advanced technologies may be available that are more effective, sustainable, and cost-effective. The first step in rejuvenating your cleaning supplies is to meet with your janitorial distributor. Your distributor, if...

Move over caustic chemicals, a new era of cleaning and disinfectant solutions is in town. Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) continue to make a splash and shake up the cleaning industry. Easy-to-use, sustainable and effective, they are a trusted cleaning source for many consumer, commercial, institutional and industrial applications. From stadiums, breweries, bakeries, and senior living facilities to indoor agriculture facilities and more, businesses and consumers are ditching archaic, toxic cleaning programs for these sustainable solutions. More cleaning-focused companies are also making it a part of their service offering. But what exactly are ECAS? ECAS, commonly referred to in the past...

In the dynamic landscape of facility management, one principle stands as an unwavering cornerstone: sustainability. Far more than just a buzzword, sustainability has become an indispensable guiding principle for facility managers tasked with optimizing operations, minimizing environmental impact, and futureproofing their facilities. At the heart of sustainability lies a fundamental commitment to environmental stewardship. Facility managers play a pivotal role in minimizing resource consumption, reducing waste generation, and mitigating environmental impact. By implementing energy-efficient systems, adopting eco-friendly practices, and embracing renewable technologies, facility managers can contribute to the preservation of our planet for future generations. Over the past thirty years, corporations...

The hospitality industry is no stranger to evolution, and after surviving the chaos of the COVID pandemic and the aftermath, hoteliers are much more adept at pivoting as new trends and developments push the hospitality industry in new directions. This year has already ushered in a great deal of change, as consumer booking trends change and many of the top global economies experience contractions, but as always, there will be many other shifts that will impact the hospitality industry over the coming years; one of the most significant changes that we are currently experiencing comes with the entry of...

The integration of sustainable elements is on the rise in the hotel industry. Many guests are prioritizing their health and wellbeing, as well as the environment’s. This means they are embracing natural and organic materials and furniture that is sustainably and ethically sourced, and selecting hotels that uphold eco-friendly practices. Hotels and resorts that follow through on their sustainable commitments not only boost their credibility with potential guests, but they help conserve the environment simultaneously. However, embracing sustainable hotel practices isn’t as simple as installing LED light bulbs in every room. To create a holistically sustainable environment, each individual element...

It has been my tradition for the past 15 years to write essays for Earth Day, some of which became the content of my second book, Kings of a Lonely Kingdom. On this 54th anniversary of the original event, I wanted to dedicate this essay to a somewhat stupefying topic: public discourse. It has dawned on me that even my tempered environmental activism has initiated a conflict or two. I genuinely believe in healthy debate, as did our Founding Fathers when our Constitution was conceived, but what we are witnessing today is anything but healthy.  Are we really fighting...

Ensuring the pristine air quality within your lodging facility is not just a matter of comfort; it’s integral to your business success. Satisfied guests not only return but also become your most effective marketers, spreading positive word-of-mouth about their experience. By demonstrating your commitment to maintaining clean air, especially in regions with elevated air pollution levels, you can gain a significant edge over your competitors. Managing dust and promptly changing filters constitute critical initial steps. Despite the best efforts of your cleaning staff, areas like laundry facilities can be significant sources of dust accumulation. If your facility has recently undergone...

The commercial aquatics industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements, high-priority sustainability initiatives and a new focus on holistic approaches to water management. These shifts are reshaping how hotels, resorts, fitness centers and other commercial facilities manage and maintain their pools and water amenities, with an emphasis on heightened efficiency, environmental friendliness and guest safety. Sustainability as a Priority Sustainability has emerged as a paramount concern for hospitality properties, prompting increased interest in water management solutions that help reduce chemical, water and energy usage. While investing in sustainable practices is the right thing to do for environmental preservation, it...

Enabling and empowering Saudi women in every sector, utilizing their skills and potential for the progress and economic prosperity of the nation, is a fundamental aspect of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With the goal of increasing women’s engagement in the workforce to 30 percent by 2030, Saudi Arabia is committed to providing opportunities and support for women to thrive professionally. To accomplish this objective, Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in implementing a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive atmosphere for the economic advancement of women. The country has embarked on a mission to: Empower women to have a strong...