SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Participating members of FreshStay.com will have a new dress code for Fridays. To promote the benefits of being 100 percent smoke free, the hotel staff will don polo shirts and other clothing with a specially embossed FreshStay.com logo. The FreshStay apparel will be designed and produced by Vermont Clothing Company, which specializes in organic, recycled, Earth-friendly clothing. As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds from the apparel will donated to the American Cancer Society and American Lung Association.
“FreshStay Fridays is a great way for our members to promote themselves as 100 percent smoke free, and show pride in the fact that they are providing a cleaner and healthier place for travelers to stay,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality, which operates FreshStay.com.
“Going smoke free is good for guests, staffs, and now also for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer or heart disease,” Burger adds. “Donating a portion of FreshStay.com apparel sales to the American Cancer Society and American Lung Association not only is the right thing to do, but it underlines our commitment to healthier living and desire to combat diseases that go hand in hand with smoking.”
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FreshStay is an online directory and integrated booking process for more than 3,500 nonsmoking lodging facilities in the United States, Canada and elsewhere around the world. FreshStay is dedicated to promoting the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) for “Frequent Breathers” worldwide who seek fresh air accommodations at resorts, hotels, motels, inns and B&Bs.
“Going 100 percent smoke free is a great way for hotels to save money,” Burger says. “It eliminates related smoking damage to guestroom carpets, furniture, bed linens, curtains—you name it. It also makes it a lot easier for service staff to clean rooms. The wholesale switch to nonsmoking also helps boost occupancy and repeat business from guests who prefer to stay in smoke-free rooms—a rapidly growing group which today represents the overwhelming majority of business and leisure travelers.”
Don Miller, general manager of the Clarion Atlanta Airport, was one of the first to sign on to FreshStay Fridays. Miller says guests will see the hotel staff wearing the FreshStay clothing and will ask what it’s all about. That gives staff the chance to explain the benefits of going smoke free. If they get enough people asking questions, Miller said he may print out a card and leave it in the guestrooms explaining why the hotel is taking the stance against smoking.
The FreshStay apparel will be available in short and long sleeved shirts printed with eco-friendly ink and soy products. Organic cotton polo shirts are also available.
