The Covid-19 Wrap is part of WiT’s “Unity In Crisis” series, a round-up of news on the coronavirus and its impact on travel.
Hotelbeds thanks frontline medical workers with ‘Holidays for Heroes’
Business-to-business bedbank Hotelbeds is offering frontline professionals working to combat coronavirus 25% discounts for accommodation in its ‘Holidays for Heroes’ campaign.
Launched in partnership with participating hotels, the campaign’s objective is to give the exclusive discounts to frontline ‘heroes’ for all bookings made via selected Hotelbeds partners and the company’s retail brand Bedsonline.
The booking period will be from mid-May until 31 October for arrivals up to the end of the year, and all rates will be fully refundable.
Workers such as health professionals, security forces and bodies, farmers, supermarket and pharmacy workers, delivery workers, cleaning staff and journalists are among those eligible for the discounts.
Additionally, Hotelbeds will donate €5 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for every reservation, with the funds used to assist vulnerable communities worldwide.
“Despite the difficult situation many people around the world are experiencing there are some very important unsung heroes that are giving their best by working for our safety and well-being: health professionals, police officers, supermarket employees and many more.” said León Herce, global sales director at Hotelbeds.
“We want to thank them in the way we know best – helping them with a holiday when the time is right. These negotiated exclusive rates on participating properties will do just that for them when this pandemic is eventually over, but giving them the certainty to book now knowing that the rates are refundable.”
Hotelbeds is working to sign-up hotels to participate in the programme and, according to Herce, many hoteliers are keen participate in this campaign.
“Likewise we cannot stop thinking about all those who have been most affected by this pandemic, and that is why, for every booking received, Hotelbeds will donate €5 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for programmes to assist those most vulnerable to Covid-19,” he added.
Santan offers AirAsia employees opportunity to work in food delivery
With low cost carrier AirAsia temporarily hibernating most of its fleet across the network due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of its employees’ jobs have been affected.
Santan, AirAsia’s inflight menu brand and flagship restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’s Mid Valley Megamall, has come to the rescue of these employees by offering them jobs as food delivery riders.
According Santan general manager Catherine Goh, over 50 AirAsia Allstars including cabin crew, pilots and ground service agents have signed up for the opportunity in this current “new normal” condition.
“In these unprecedented times, we believe that we should remain stronger than ever to brave through this storm of uncertainty. The Santan team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the familiar taste of Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak and other crowd favourites are available to everyone throughout this period,” she said in a statement.
“We hope to unite Malaysians through our love for food, whether it’s preparing it or delivering it; after all, we are #InThisTogether,“ she added.
About 70% of Santan’s business is from delivery, while 30% is takeaway.
Santan, which officially opened in December 2019, has also introduced a digital initiative to support micro, small and independent vendors selling Ramadan delicacies to continue their businesses by launching a Ramadan e-bazaar on santan.com.my starting 23 April till 23 May. (Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting).
RedDoorz rolls out HygienePass in Indonesia
Online hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has launched HygienePass, an industry-wide cleanliness and sanitation certification programme for the hospitality industry, in Indonesia.
The initiative is introduced in collaboration with the Indonesian Public Health Association (Ikatan Ahli Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia), an association that provides public health policies https://thecanadapharmacy.com/available-treatments-for-covid-19/ and expertise.
The certification programme will also be implemented in the Philippines and Vietnam in cooperation with local authorities.
Meanwhile, RedDoorz announced that all its nine hotels in Singapore have been “SG Clean”-certified.
The SG Clean campaign is a Singapore government effort to rally businesses and the public to uphold good sanitation standards and hygiene practices, supported by key government agencies which include Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the National Environment Agency and non-governmental organization partners such as the Public Hygiene Council.
“We are also aware that independent hotel owners are probably the most affected during this crisis and we would be happy to have them join the certification programme as we believe any hotel business will be able to benefit from its adoption,” said Amit Saberwal, RedDoorz founder and CEO.
He is confident that with the launch of HygienePass the company will be able to establish the new industry standards of sanitation and hygiene, which will help boost consumer confidence once recovery starts.
Airbnb launches Enhanced Cleaning Initiative
As part of its ongoing effort to support the community and prepare for the future of travel focused on health and prevention, Airbnb has launched the Enhanced Cleaning Initiative.
In a statement announcing the initiative, Airbnb said it includes “the first overarching standardised protocol for cleaning and sanitisation in the home sharing industry”.
The initiative is guided by standards of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), former US surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy and companies in the hospitality and medical hygiene sector such as Ecolab.
Next month, the company will launch the new Cleaning Protocol with procedures and guidelines for hosts on how to clean every room in a home, which will include a learning and certification programme. Guests will be able to identify and book accommodations included in this programme soon after hosts enroll.
The host Cleaning Protocol will include specific information on Covid-19 prevention, such as the use of personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves for hosts or their cleaners, as well as disinfectants that are approved by regulatory authorities.
“A CDC-recommended 24 hour wait period before entering is also required, as a precaution to address the possibility of particles that may remain airborne for a few hours. The protocol will be available to all hosts and we encourage them to commit and adopt these enhanced cleaning practices. Listings enrolled in the Cleaning Protocol will be available for stays immediately after the enhanced cleaning is performed,” added Airbnb.
However, if hosts are unable to commit to the Cleaning Protocol, they can alternatively opt into a new feature called Booking Buffer, to create a vacancy period between stays. They can keep their home empty for a set period in between stays, with no activity other than cleaning. Reservations will be automatically blocked during that time frame, currently set at 72 hours. This option includes the same 24 wait period before entering, and hosts should still observe CDC recommendations and other applicable local guidance.
“Homes have become a place of shelter, and the future of travel will also rely on a new comfort zone with the privacy and benefits of a home away from home without crowds or high turnovers,” said Greg Greeley, president of Homes at Airbnb.
“We are working with leading experts in health and hygiene so that our community’s trademark hospitality can incorporate official guidance and fulfil new personal preferences, with hosts and guests uniting to offer, manage and enjoy cleaner accommodations.”
Langham Hotels brings Spring indoors with #InThePink campaign
#InThePink, Langham Hotels & Resorts’ social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram, aims to encourage positivity and engage with their house-bound guests and audiences
Known for its signature shade of pink, The Langham Hotels has integrated the colour throughout its initiatives and experiences, from their tea sets to their themed suites.
#InThePink features beautiful spring scenes of the cities in which The Langham hotels are located. The images showcase pink blooms that bring cheer and positivity, as well as inspire travel to the destinations when travel resumes again.
The hotels also publish cocktail and recipe tutorials from their bartenders and chefs, as well as instructional home spa videos produced by the group’s wellness leaders.
“#InThePink underscores our ongoing commitment to reach out to our guests staying safe at home.We may not able to do so physically at this point but we hope to deliver our promises virtually,” said Vivienne Gan, vice president of communications at Langham Hospitality Group.
