Hoteliers agree that proactive safety measures, especially in the wake of COVID-19, are important in maintaining a positive guest experience. From informative signage in guestrooms regarding cleaning procedures to check-out surveys and stocked in-room coffee supplies, it is the little touches that show you are not only thinking ahead but also prioritizing the guest experience. This mindset holds true for hotel pest management as well. In fact, pest control providers emphasize Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a methodology designed with the future in mind. IPM takes a proactive and all-inclusive approach to prevention by eliminating the conditions that are conducive to pest activity. Without preventative...

If real, achievable, disinfection measures increase confidence, the public will return. People are placing health as a top priority. Almost 85 percent make their travel decisions based on health safety. Some 40 percent are unsatisfied with the communications they’re currently receiving about safety protocols according to PWC. Half of consumers are also willing to pay extra for more safety. To get the public back, business has to have high level safety protocols and make people aware of them. The devastation to the hospitality industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic is illustrated in a survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association...

The unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 have reminded us that we are an interconnected global community. While this crisis rightly has dominated our attention, we must not lose sight of progress on the broader aims of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Like the pandemic, our response must transcend national boundaries, engage the public and private sectors—and the pace must quicken. Corporations are essential to sustainable development. We live in a globalized economy where some multinational companies have revenues that exceed the GDP of many countries, workforces in the millions and supply chains that touch every corner...

There is a radical change in the way the hospitality industry is operating compared to the last decade. From shifting guests away from the front desk and favoring mobile check-in to new sanitization regulations that call for constant vigilance, it can be a lot for any organization to process and maintain consistency—particularly right now as guidelines and state regulations are subject to abrupt changes. The need for communications is increasing tenfold between hotel leaders, employees, and guests, as everyone must navigate the ongoing uncertainty and changing societal norms. COVID-19 has forced hotels to make changes in line with the physical...

NATIONAL REPORT—Deciding to close or remain open during a pandemic can be one of the most difficult decisions a hotel company will ever have to make, especially if multiple assets are involved. Many factors need to be analyzed, including the financial, brand, and human resources sides of the business to determine which action is the most fiscally responsible. At Sixty Hotels, we are “Always Open” to show our customers that we are there for them in good times and bad, no matter what. This is especially challenging considering that our hotels are in the heavily populated tourist destinations of...

As the travel industry slowly starts to recover from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for hoteliers to begin thinking about ways to entice cautious travelers who now value health and wellness above all else. Priorities have changed and guest expectations need to be considered moving forward. Prior to the pandemic, wellness was having a moment in the hospitality space, but now the crisis has intensified this priority, putting wellness and the awareness of personal health and well-being at the forefront of guests’ minds. However, the idea of wellness has changed and is now less about superficial spa...

It seems like a long time ago, but not that long ago, the hotel industry in the United States was hitting record highs. Occupancy rates in all types of properties were the highest in years, and many hotels decided it was an excellent time to increase their average daily rates (ADRs). However, we all know what happened next. By March, the drop began, and by June, occupancy rates were at the lowest levels in years. Many properties, large and small, closed. The goal was no longer to make money but to save money and stay open. However, according to real estate...

Since the 1950s, when the large-scale production of synthetic materials began, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been generated—and we’ve thrown the majority away. Of that waste, people have only recycled 9 percent. Unfortunately, plastics do not biodegrade, meaning these products stick around for hundreds or thousands of years. They clog up landfills and make their way into our environment—including 18 billion pounds that flow into the ocean every year. The hospitality industry plays a significant role in plastic consumption, as one 200-room hotel can generate around 300,000 single-use pieces in a month at full capacity. Some items these businesses...

Green building owners are always looking for more efficient and cost-effective heating solutions in order to meet sustainability goals and reduce operating expenses. Innovations in commercial heating technology are providing more efficient heating options to consider than ever before. One example is the adaptation of condensing furnace technology, which was previously only used in residential furnace and indoor applications, to commercial rooftop units. How it Works In an indirect fired gas furnace, natural gas (or LP) is burned, creating very hot flue gases that travel through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger heats up and in turn transfers this heat to...

The coronavirus pandemic has created a new normal, and the only seemingly certain thing is uncertainty. When will the economy reopen? How can we be sure it is safe to reopen? What steps can we take to ensure everyone is safe upon reopening? For hotels, which are especially hit hard by the pandemic response, answers to these questions are imperative. Hotel occupancy has dropped about 70% overall during the pandemic, with tourist centers like Hawaii and New York City showing marked declines. As businesses begin to reopen, hotels will likely see increases in occupancy rates, however, the worst is not...