Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

AHLA provides safety checklist for travelers

Requiring face coverings tops the list of tips for hotel guests

“SAFE TRAVELS” IS no longer just a casual farewell in the age of COVID-19. Those two words now form the basis of recovery from the pandemic for the hotel industry, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association has released a checklist to help hotel guests achieve it.

AHLA’s “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” is part of its Safe Stay initiative launched in May. The checklist includes:


  • Require hotel employees and other guests use face coverings in all indoor public spaces and practice social distancing in all common areas.
  • Choose contactless options, where available, including online reservations, check-ins, and payments.
  • Use daily room cleaning only if necessary. Ask the hotel about options.
  • Request contactless room service delivery.
  • Refrain from traveling if you have, or recently had, any symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Utilizing these best practices, including requiring face coverings and practicing social distancing in public spaces, will create an even safer environment for all our guests and employees,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. “As an industry, we want every guest to experience a clean and safe hotel no matter where they stay. We applaud governors who have standardized the use of face coverings in all indoor public spaces and we urge all lawmakers to help make this a national standard by implementing this requirement in their states. These preventative measures make it safer and easier for Americans to travel while also supporting hotel and tourism employees.”

The CEOs of Hilton, Hyatt Hotels Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group, Loews Hotels & Co., Radisson Hotel Group, Marriott International and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts all endorsed the checklist, particularly the first item on the list, facemasks.

Hilton employees are required to use face coverings as part of the company’s CleanStay program, said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO.

“We are supportive of the industry adopting consistent guidelines and practices that adhere to public health guidelines, including the wearing of face coverings indoors and in public areas,” Nassetta said.

Hyatt also requires face masks, said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO

“To help enable safe travel amidst the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, we need to come together as an industry and promote clear guidelines, which for the foreseeable future include the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces and practicing social distancing,” Hoplamazian said.

“It is critical we take action to protect the health and safety of guests and colleagues to build confidence in travel as the industry begins to recover,” said Elie Maalouf, IHG CEO for the Americas. “Requiring face coverings in all indoor public spaces across our industry will help create an even safer environment for all travelers and frontline hotel colleagues.”

Taking the right safety steps is a social obligation, said Jonathan Tisch, Loews chairman & CEO.

“As hotel operators and owners, we have a role and responsibility to provide a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment for team members, guests and our communities, and now more than ever we need to ensure we are exceeding expectations in this area,” he said.

“Health guidance is clear on wearing masks and it is a simple step everyone can take when in public spaces of hotels to protect themselves, each other and associates,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s CEO.

The industry, and the country, need to work together on this, Jim Alderman, Radisson CEO for the Americas, said.

“One of the easiest ways to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 is by wearing a face covering, especially indoors,” he said.

“We all must play a role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and encouraging the adoption of these guidelines is an important and meaningful step for us to take together,” Jim Alderman, Radisson CEO for the Americas, said. “This easy-to-follow checklist can help protect our guests, team members, and franchisees, as well as the countless communities in which we operate.”

Everyone must play a role in keeping the nation same, said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham.

“This easy-to-follow checklist can help protect our guests, team members, and franchisees, as well as the countless communities in which we operate,” he said.

AHLA also recently launched COVID-19 Precautions for Hotels, an online course developed in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) to help hotels train their staffs on the enhanced safety and cleanliness guidelines.

More for you

G6 Hospitality Launches 24/7 Guest Support From August 1
Photo credit: G6 Hospitality

G6 launching 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1

Summary:

  • G6 Hospitality will launch 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1, expanding the current 18-hour window.
  • Escalations from phone, email and social media will be handled promptly by trained staff.
  • The service supports G6’s tech and service investments, including the AI-powered My6 app.

G6 HOSPITALITY, PARENT of Motel 6 and Studio 6, will launch a 24x7 customer support service for guests starting Aug. 1. The service extends the previous 18-hour window to full-day availability via phone, email and social media.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. travelers using mobile devices to book independent boutique hotel stays with personalized offers and smart tech in 2025

Study: Personalization boosts independent hotel bookings

Summary:

  • Around 95 percent of U.S. travelers are more likely to book independent hotels with personalized offers, according to TakeUp.
  • 59 percent plan more travel in 2025, with 78 percent favoring weekend getaways and 65 percent domestic trips.
  • Top booking deterrents are few reviews at 39 percent, unclear cleanliness or quality at 38 percent and inflexible cancellations at 29 percent.

PERSONALIZED OFFERS BASED on interests would make 95 percent of U.S. travelers more likely to book at an independent hotel, according to TakeUp, a revenue management platform for independent hotels. About 85 percent are open to technologies such as smart check-in, recommendations and AI-based pricing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chart showing decline in U.S. extended-stay hotel occupancy and RevPAR in May 2025

Report: May fifth month for drop in extended-stay occupancy

Summary:

  • Extended-stay occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth straight monthly decline; ADR and RevPAR also dropped for a second consecutive month.
  • May marked 44 straight months of supply growth for the segment at 4 percent or less, with annual growth below the 4.9 percent long-term average.
  • Extended-stay room revenues rose 0.5 percent, while total industry revenue grew 0.9 percent, led by segments with little extended-stay supply.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, exceeding the 0.7 percent drop reported for all hotels by STR/CoStar, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay occupancy was 10.5 percentage points above the total hotel industry, at the lower end of the long-term average premium range.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less