OAKVILLE, ONT.—Howard Johnson Canada announced that it will become the first mid-market hotel brand within Canada to provide a 100 percent smoke-free guest experience. Each of their 3,500 guestrooms across Canada will become 100 percent smoke free by September 1, 2007. This change comes with the support of Howard Johnson’s franchisees.
“This move is in reaction to the input and opinions of our franchise family and hotel guests,” says Glen Blake, president of Howard Johnson Canada Franchise Systems Limited. “Based on our research, we know this move will result in a cleaner, healthier and more family friendly hotel environment. Smoke-free facilities are becoming more commonplace across the country and are gaining a lot of public support; offering our customers and franchise employees smoke-free hotels is the natural next step.”
Currently in Canada, market demand has shown that offering a completely smoke-free environment is poised to become the latest differentiator in the competitive hotel industry. According to a North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates in 2006, it was found that 79 percent of hotel guests prefer a smoke-free environment that exceeds the boundaries of their guestroom.
Cleaning Program Established
Blake realizes that becoming smoke free is not an easy step, which is why Howard Johnson Canada has partnered with JohnsonDiversey, one of the world’s leaders in developing cleaning and hygiene solutions, to create a Smoke-Free Cleaning Program.
“As soon as I heard about this initiative, I knew we should be part of it,” says Edward Lonergan, president and CEO of JohnsonDiversey. “Our program will allow all Howard Johnson properties to achieve their goal of becoming 100 percent smoke free.”
Guestrooms will undergo a thorough cleaning and restoration process. After completing the program each hotel will receive a smoke-free certification from the JohnsonDiversey clean air program.
“There is more to becoming smoke free than placing a sign on the door and removing the ashtrays, which is why we are delighted to be undertaking this initiative with a partner as highly regarded as Howard Johnson Canada,” says Domenic Rapini, vice president and general manager of JohnsonDiversey Canada.
Leading the way for Howard Johnson are its properties located in Victoria, Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver, which will all complete the required certification by June 1, 2007.
Go to Howard Johnson Canada.
