Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently senior editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
FACEMASKS ON EMPLOYEES and guest and suspended housekeeping services and use of technology to avoid contact were top priorities for travelers’ comfort, according to a new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. All are found on AHLA’s Safe Stay Guest Checklist released in July.
AHLA’s national survey found that 87 percent of respondents said face coverings on hotel employees had a lot or at least some impact on their comfort in staying at the property. Also, 85 percent felt more comfortable if guests are wearing masks, 86 percent liked housekeeping to be suspended during their stay, and 85 percent like the use of technology to minimize contact.
Travel has slowed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began and is expected to slow even more. According to AHLA, 33 percent of frequent travelers expect to stay in the hotel in the next three months, 18 percent will make stay within three to six months and 25 percent will stay in six to 12 months.
“The hotel industry united to enhance our already rigorous cleaning protocols for the health and safety of our guests, and it’s working,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. “It’s more important than ever that guests follow our Safe Stay Guest Checklist so they understand what is expected of them no matter where they stay. Travelers across the country looking to include a hotel stay in their upcoming vacation plans know that with the implementation of Safe Stay, hotels will be safer and cleaner than ever before.”
Other popular measures to increase a guest’s comfort level include
Transparent barriers at front desks, concierge or valet stations: 82 percent.
Signage for washing hands, distancing and personal protective equipment: 80 percent
Temporarily closing amenities: 77 percent
Floor markings to promote social distancing: 77 percent
“The overwhelming majority of respondents indicate that these protocols would impact their comfort level, with eight out of ten, or 81 percent, of frequent travelers said they feel comfortable staying in a hotel that has implemented the enhanced cleaning and safety protocols called for in AHLA’s Safe Stay initiative,” AHLA said in a statement.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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