Swiggy starts home delivery of alcohol

Key Take Away

Food delivery platform Swiggy started doorstep delivery of alcohol in Jharkhand through the ‘Wine Shops’ category on its app.

To ensure the safe delivery of alcohol and in compliance with applicable laws, Swiggy has introduced measures such as mandatory age verification and user authentication to fulfill orders. All orders will carry an OTP which needs to be provided by the customer at the time of delivery. This is being done to put a cap on the quantity which is being ordered

For More Information:

economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/swiggy-starts-home-delivery-of-alcohol/articleshow/75863663.cms

Qatar Airways cabin crew to wear hazmat suits

Key Take Away

Qatar Airways is one of several airlines to introduce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for its cabin crew in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Passengers will be required to wear face coverings or masks on all its flights from May 25. The airline will be equipped with large bottles of hand sanitizers, which can be used by both cabin crew and passengers.

The move comes weeks after Philippines Airlines and AirAsia reportedly launched new uniforms that incorporate PPE.

For More Information

edition.cnn.com/travel/article/qatar-airways-full-body-cover-protection/index.html

Marriott to launch a virtual meeting offer

Key Take Away

Starting with Australia and New Zealand, Virtual Meetings by Marriott Bonvoy Events aim at offering clients a large scale of remote meeting possibilities.

A new adaptation for the world number one to the world after COVID-19 pandemic.

For More Information

hospitality-on.com/en/mice/marriott-launch-virtual-meeting-offer

Dream Hotel Group Signs Three New Locations In Tulum, Mexico

Key Take Away

Celebrated hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group announced today a new partnership with leading Tulum-based real estate development group Los Amigos to operate three new properties in Tulum, Mexico.

With 16 hotels open today and another 20+ locations in various stages of development worldwide, Dream Hotel Group remains one of the fastest-growing independent lifestyle hotel companies in the world.

For more Information

www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4098748.html

Plant-based meat maker Growthwell snares $11.4m in Temasek-led funding round

Key Take Away

Plant-based meat manufacturer Growthwell Group has clinched US$8 million (S$11.4 million) in a funding round led by Temasek to set up local research and development (R&D) Centre and to launch a new product line with an Israeli start-up.

Started in 1989, Growthwell specializes in vegetarian food solutions for food and beverage businesses and organisations in Singapore, Australia, India and the United States.

For More Information

www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/growthwell-snares-114m-in-temasek-led-funding-round

NRAI teams up with Dotpe for digital ordering and payment solutions

Key take away

By deploying the Dotpe’s QR-based digital commerce and payments solution, the restaurant fraternity represented by NRAI will be able to reorient their operations by connecting with their customers directly through WhatsApp

Here's how it works :

Guests can scan the QR code placed on the tables from their own mobile phones, and view the entire menu of the restaurant on the phone just like an e-commerce catalogue.

For more information:

https://www.hotelierindia.com/fb/10908-nrai-teams-up-with-dotpe-for-digital-ordering-and-payment-solutions

Cloud Kitchens — Top 10 mistakes that take your business down

Key Take Away

Foodtech startups have re-defined the food consumption of an average Indian customer. From gourmet to street foods delivered to our home by the innovative, algorithm-driven apps assigning a fleet of concierge delivery guys who pick up the food from several choices of restaurants, disrupting the food industry — both in organized and unorganized sectors.

One such advantage of this technology-driven delivery platform is the existence of Cloud kitchens or dark kitchens. 

The major reasons for the failure of these kitchens are:

1. Lack of Business vision

2. Huge leap in Aggregators commission

3. Too Many Players in the Same Segment

4. Pricing Factor

5. Zero Market Research

6. Lack of Consistency

7. Lack of Technology

8. Dependency on Unreliable Labour

9. Flawed Costing

10. Lack of Structure and Process

For more information visit :

https://medium.com/@srinivasanrangarajalu/10-reasons-for-the-failure-of-cloud-kitchens-any-food-business-3c2ea2dfb65

COVID-19 Employee Health Check Platform

A robust platform for conducting health assessments when the frontline needs it most. Employee safety equals guest trust.

How does the Health Check Platform work?

• A mobile app that can record symptoms and gather a temperature check prior to entering the premises 

• Enterprise-ready reporting capabilities and printable summary reports instilling customer confidence  

• Can be integrated with Harri’s timekeeping system to collect PPE attestations 

• Supports confidence and trust amongst team members

  The Health Check-In Action

  Health Check Mobile App

• Built into Harri Live, a native mobile app for ops teams, managers can complete symptom screenings and employee temperature checks prior to employees entering the location 

• Ability to log symptoms results prior to the employee entering the workplace

• Employees who do not pass the screening process are signalled to be sent home and HR is notified for awareness

  Customer-Facing Employee Health Report

• Easily generate and print a Health Check summary for guest-facing purposes

• Options include a unique design for display on a restaurant front door and delivery and/or drive-thru orders

  Enterprise-Ready Reporting and Tracking System

• Robust tracking and reporting of health checks at the unit, area and enterprise level

• Proactive alerts for above-unit managers related to failed health check

  PPE In-Use Image Capture

• Employees punch into Harri’s Team Hub timekeeping system, creating a visual audit trail of PPE equipment in use

• AI-powered object-detection determines if a mask is present at the time of the clock in and produces alerts

  Employee PPE Attestations

• Employees attest to being provided PPE prior to starting their shift, complying with numerous local directives

Domio Develops Apart-Hotel Industry's Most Comprehensive Cleaning Program

Domio, the apart-hotel hospitality company, unveiled its new Domio Difference program outlining industry leading guest experience enhancements to provide guests with peace of mind while they relax in the comfort of home and confidence of a hotel during their Domio stay. The Domio Difference program outlines a series of innovative guest-facing technology combined with enhanced cleaning measures and health amenities to provide guests with assurance of safety and security during their stay

The Domio team developed the cleaning portion of its new program with guidance provided by the CDC, EPA, WHO and leading cleaning chemical manufacturers including Ecolab to formulate its new 100-point cleaning process. Additionally, all Domio guests will be provided with in-room face masks and disinfectant wipes.

While certain technology improvements such as keyless entry and mobile check-in and check-out were already under development by the Domio team as part of its long-term vision of inserting leading technology into hospitality to create frictionless guest experiences, the thrust of the Domio Difference cleaning enhancements were fast-tracked as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Domio Difference program highlights, include:

• In-Unit Health Kit: Guests will be provided with complimentary face masks and disinfecting wipes in each Domio apart-hotel unit.

• 100-point CDC Compliant Apart-Hotel Cleaning: Domio has developed a 100-point checklist inspired by CDC research to ensure clean room stays.

• Contactless Check-In and Check-Out: Domio guests can now check-in and check-out via Domio’s mobile app, enabling guests to bypass the front desk if they so choose.

• Keyless Entry: Domio’s proprietary technology enables guests to use their mobile device to unlock their apart-hotel removing the need to use a key or keycard.

• Voice-Enabled Assistant: Designed specifically for our apart-hotel guests, our in-room voice-enabled Angie units provide guests with a touchless interface for communication.

• Focus on Fitness Centers: Improved guidelines for disinfecting the hotel Fitness Center, closing for cleaning multiple times daily and limiting the number of guests allowed in at one time.

• 80-point CDC Compliant Public Area Cleaning: Increased frequency and detailed checklist inspired by CDC research along with social distancing.

• Employee PPE: Rest comfortably knowing all employees will be provided masks, gloves and other PPE to ensure your well-being.

Solay Mobile App Provides Social Distancing Technology For Resort Pools & Beaches

Resort Technologies, LLC, proudly announces the iOS initial release of its mobile technology solution, Solay, available now for download in the App Store. The Solay Mobile App provides Resorts & Hotels with a free inventory management system to set up overnight guests with reserved seats placed 6 feet apart at pools and beaches. Offering a contactless solution to maintain social distancing, Resorts & Hotels utilizing Solay contribute to a safer return to travel and experience greater ease in adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.

The Solay Mobile App is a seating reservation tool used by overnight guests that generates real time information to Hotels & Resorts. Solay utilizes customized property information and seating maps, organizing the logistics of social distancing among Hotel & Resort registered guests when they enjoy pools and beaches. Solay has a no contact reservation and check-in process on each user’s individual iPhone and does not require any other integrations or property technology solutions. As an effective way to manage vacation experiences through the challenges of COVID-19, the Solay service will promote reassurance and increase confidence of guests vacationing at Hotels & Resorts.

Resort & Hotel Management staff can re-open with peace of mind knowing Solay provides a cost-free system to support property and guest needs alike at pools and beaches without the uncertainty of a first come, first served model.

Solay is also proud to announce all user fees are currently waived to help support hospitality and encourage vacationers to enjoy leisure time again. The Solay Mobile App was established to allow the pure essence of the word “vacation” to be embodied in the guest experience. Solay, a better experience for all.

Solay is now available for free download in the iOS App Store. Android is planned for release in Q1 of 2021 along with development of additional features.

More information can be found online at http://www.solayapp.com

DRDO Develops WiFi-Enabled UV Disinfection Tower For Sanitising Coronavirus-Prone Areas

 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) disinfection tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high coronavirus infection prone areas

The Ultra Violet blaster is useful for high-tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods

“The product is also effective for areas with large flow of people such as airports, shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories and offices,” the DRDO said in a statement

The UV based area sanitiser may be used by remote operation through laptop or mobile phone using WiFi link.

“The equipment has six lamps each with 43 watts of UV-C power at 254 nm wavelength for 360 degree illumination,” a DRDO official said.

For a room of about 12×12 feet dimension, the disinfection time is about 10 minutes and 30 minutes for a 400 square feet area by positioning the equipment at different places within the room.

The Ultra Violet blaster is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO, with the help of New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.

This sanitiser switches off on accidental opening of room or human intervention. One more salient safety feature of the product is the key to arm operation.

ITC Hotels launches ‘WeAssure’

ITC Hotels has launched the ‘WeAssure’ initiative under which the chain has partnered with National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and DNV GL Business Assurance to ensure 'clinical' levels of hygiene and safety for its hotels.
The company said these assurance certifications will stand testimony to the ' rigorous' hygiene protocol being put in place to ensure the safety of guests and associates at ITC Hotels across India.

Nakul Anand, executive director at ITC said WeAssure is a unique programme designed in collaboration with medical professionals and disinfection experts to further enhance the existing hygiene and cleaning protocols.
ITC Hotels said the accreditation by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) will enhance existing procedures and controls in the area of sanitation, hygiene, safety and infection control thereby conforming to hospital level hygiene standards
ITC said ‘WeAssure’ will address all facets of hotel operations from revised protocols for back of the house activity at the receiving store, back offices, laundry to the public areas with heightened sanitization measures for guest luggage and elevators to room service.

Contactless Check-In/Check-Out and Keyless Room Entry Now Available to Hotels Via the Fuel Mobile App

Fuel, a leading provider of guest-facing hotel software solutions and digital marketing services for the global hospitality industry, has expanded the digital-key functionality of its industry-leading mobile application for independent and boutique hotels.

Enabled through a successful integration with ASSA ABLOY™, the world's largest provider of hotel locking systems, the newly incorporated technology allows hotel properties with the Fuel Contactless Mobile App and ASSA ABLOY™ locking systems to let guests access their assigned guestrooms using their mobile phone as a digital key. With this feature enabled, guests can check in remotely, bypass the front desk, and go directly to their rooms upon arrival at a hotel property.

 The app can be customized with the hotel's color palette and logo, and it provides additional digital-concierge features such as Itenerary, Weather, Maps, Local Information and Special Offers.

The full feature set of the Fuel Contactless Mobile App is enabled by its ability to communicate with the hotel's Property Management System. Fuel has integrations with most of the hotel industry's leading PMS software providers, including Oracle Hospitality, SMS, Maestro, IQware, Megasys and Resort Data Processing.

"We have been developing and perfecting our Contactless Mobile App for over three years," said Stuart Butler, chief operating officer of Fuel.

Starting at $250 per month, the Fuel Contactless Mobile App & Digital Key is the most feature-rich and cost-effective custom mobile app for independent hotels.

Marriott International Ranks #1 On DiversityInc Top 50 List

Marriott International, Inc. was recognized as the #1 company for diversity across industries on the 2020 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. The ranking also makes Marriott the highest-ranking hospitality company on the list for more than ten years and the only one to have achieved the top ranking. 

Marriott's success in the diversity and inclusion space is based on a 360-degree cultural approach encompassing results-oriented metrics and initiatives supporting associates, customers, suppliers and owners. This approach had led to signature accomplishments such as collaborating with leading human rights nonprofits on human trafficking prevention training and leveraging TakeCare, its award-winning employee wellbeing program, to advance the practice of diversity and inclusion in the modern workplace.

 The company has been recognized for its talent development programs with a long list of notable and lifetime achievement awards, including - Working Mother 100 Best Companies Quarter Century and Hall of Fame, Black Enterprise Best Companies for Diversity, a repeat LATINA Style Company of the Year, Asia Society Best Companies for Asian Pacific Americans, National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) Top Companies for Executive Women Hall of Fame

The Amsterdam Restaurant Using Individual Greenhouses For Social Distancing

Mediamatic ETEN, part of a larger arts and entrepreneurship center focusing on sustainability, is a vegan restaurant located on the Dijksgracht in the Oosterdok neighborhood of Amsterdam. From May 21, the restaurant will begin taking in guests, only this time they will be seated inside Serres Séparées ('separated greenhouses'), enclosed glass structures each equipped with a table for two or three diners.

“This was one of the most feasible ideas from a large list of ideas we had when brainstorming,” Mediamatic's founding partner Willem Velthoven said .Initially, no more than three guests will be allowed to dine inside each greenhouse, even though there is the capacity for more.

"We have other, bigger greenhouses, but using them depends on how everything ends up going. Bigger groups could [come] now but then they should be families. For now, bigger groups are being discouraged because, from our experience, they are just louder and then you get the excited behavior causing spittle to fly and so on, and that's the kind of behavior that would make the virus spread faster," Velthoven said.

COVID-19: How is the Foodservice Industry Coping?

The world's latest crisis - COVID-19 - has taken over our lives, irreversibly shifting our economy, society and lifestyle. But how has it affected the foodservice industry - and what big changes are on the horizon? Find out more about how coronavirus has impacted our industry and what foodservice operators should consider when adapting their business to life as our 'new normal'.

How is the industry changing?

Though the pandemic is still in its early stages, we've already seen a considerable shift in how consumers are getting their food, and how local restaurants and foodservice providers are responding.

1. Local farm shops are booming

One of the biggest shifts has been that of consumers turning to local farms for their fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy produce. While grocery stores have experienced severe shortages in supply, farms shops have been able to offer local shoppers a steady stream of fresh goods.

Another big advantage of local produce is that people know where their food is coming from, which not only helps them feel more secure about avoiding shortages from hard-hit countries, but also helps them contribute to the local economy, supporting local businesses that otherwise might not have been able to ride out the storm.

2. Restaurants are shifting to take-away or delivery models

Restaurateurs have been quick to adapt their business model to offer their customers more flexible, pandemic-friendly dining options. This has caused a surge in take-away and delivery service options, not only from quick service or fast-casual restaurants but also from higher-end restaurants.

While the commission fees of delivery service providers can be off-putting for many restaurateurs, there's good news on the horizon. Many delivery services are adapting their business models by reducing or eliminating their fees or opting for a flat-rate, subscription option so restaurants can get a better return on their margins.

But what about food safety concerns? Most restaurants have implemented stringent health & safety regulations to protect both their staff and their patrons - covering everything from sourcing, to preparation and service. In China, foodservice operators like McDonald's have responded with contactless pick-up options where customers don't have to make any contact with the staff.

3. Independent businesses are seizing the day

As many international chains such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC and Burger King have decided to close stores altogether, there's a growing opportunity for small, independent businesses to fill the gap. These businesses are more agile and flexible as they employ fewer staff and are therefore able to react quicker to serve local customers. These customers are likely to spread the word throughout their local communities, further boosting the success of these businesses and building a loyal customer base that's likely to stick around well after the dust has settled.

Food & workforce safety tips

Here are the key factors that any foodservice business should consider.

• Set up clear protocols for your establishment and communicate these to all of your partners, suppliers, employees and customers.

• Employees handling food should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and wear gloves, a mask and/or hairnet as recommended.

• Employees should stay at least 2 meters away from customers and coworkers, to comply with social distancing recommendations. 

• While 'open food' areas such as buffets do not pose an increased risk, customers and employees should continue to behave in a hygienic manner. Where possible, food should be pre-packaged

  For restaurants offering a delivery service:

• Delivery staff should be well-trained and adhere to public health advice regarding the collection and delivery of orders.

• Drivers should wear clean (and when necessary, protective) clothing, and sanitize their hands before and after every transaction.

• Delivery vehicles should be kept clean, in good condition and free from sources of contamination. They should be disinfected regularly.

• Where possible, 'contactless delivery' options should be offered - where food can be left at the front door or on the porch.

• You may want to consider limiting the range of menu items on offer to simplify the production process and streamline your operation.

• Food packaging should be controlled, to make sure that it is suitable for different food types (some packaging is not suitable for hot food).

Tribal Casinos Are Turning to Technology to Protect Employees

 The safety of staff on casino grounds was anything but assured. Just as hotels have struggled with the prevalence of staff-related incidents including, but not limited to, injury, harassment, and assault, bustling casinos have endured the development of similar, concerning trends. Casinos, after all, invite an influx of guests from around the world, with studies showing that 26% of the population gambles along with a 4.1% increase in Indian gaming revenues. As patrons are caught up in games of chance and, subsequently, feel their inhibitions lower with the consumption of alcohol, incidents seem to happen at a higher frequency.

Not Leaving Staff Safety to Chance

Pauma Band of Mission Indians, a tribal casino in San Diego County, came under fire for 'unfair labor practices' when they put a stop to union organization. The organization was in affiliation with Unite Here's work to raise awareness for hospitality staff safety

 "The use of ESD technology has had a very positive impact on how our team members view their personal safety and how grateful they are the company made it a priority to outfit them with these devices before they were even mandated by local jurisdictions. Team Members have used these devices not only when they felt threatened or intimidated by someone but also when they were ill and could not get to a phone to call for assistance. 

With the provision of Bluetooth-enabled staff safety devices, employees are empowered to call for help in the case of an emergency, both on and off property, utilizing their smartphone or a small, standalone device. The distress call promptly transmits the precise location of the employee, sending real-time updates as they move throughout the property after sending the alert. As you might imagine, the adoption of this solution represents a pivotal step for tribal casinos hoping to transform their staff safety practices well into the future.

According to industry veteran, Joel Moore, CRDE, CHE, VP of Hotel Operations at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, "The use of ESD technology has had a very positive impact on how our team members view their personal safety and how grateful they are the company made it a priority to outfit them with these devices before they were even mandated by local jurisdictions.

The First Step Towards a Safer Future for Staff

 The River Rock Casino and Resort in Richmond is one of the first hotels in Canada to adopt the new technology, arming their staff with the React Mobile panic button platform.

River Rock Casino employees are provided a React Mobile standalone LTE device that is easy to use and, more importantly, discreet and easily wearable. If an employee feels threatened or in need of assistance anywhere on the property, they can simply press a button on the device, which will signal for help through a smartphone app and share the employee's location to security services.

In addition to the React Mobile safety system, River Rock has a 24-hour highly-trained security team as well as a state-of-the-art surveillance system.

Commingle:Engage Offers Hotel Business Recovery Marketing Services

Commingle:Engage, the hospitality industry's premier provider of full-service social media marketing and guest reputation management services ,announced the launch of its hotel business recovery marketing services aimed to assist hotels with their re-opening and recovery stages. Commingle:Engage is providing 'done for you' multifaceted hotel business recovery marketing services for even the smallest of properties with plans starting at just $525 per month.

The hotel business recovery marketing services include comprehensive and multi-faceted approaches to leverage the enormous consumer reach of social media, email marketing, Facebook advertising and proprietary Messenger marketing services developed by the Company.

The hotel business recovery plan starts with team creating a unique Stay.Play.Explore landing page designed to highlight local attributes of the property, destination, kid-friendly attractions, staycation/getaway/spa packages and amenities

From there we create social media and email marketing campaigns that drive consumers back to the property's Stay.Play.Explore page where they can pass through to the booking engine for reservations.

On top of this, we deploy geo-targeted Facebook advertising and our proprietary Facebook Messenger services to capture future wedding sales leads."

Choice Hotels Announces Commitment To Clean Initiative

Building on the existing dedication to cleanliness at its nearly 6,000 franchised hotels in the United States, Choice Hotels International, Inc. announced a new initiative: Commitment to Clean. The initiative is Choice Hotels' holistic approach to supplying franchisees and their employees with the tools they need to help Choice-branded hotels achieve superior levels of cleanliness, and address health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commitment to Clean leverages Choice's long-standing relationship with Ecolab, the industry expert and global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention technologies and services; guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization and the U.S. Travel Association; and Choice's membership in the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Safe Stay Advisory Council, to provide hotels with the latest resources and training.

The Commitment to Clean initiative builds on Choice Hotels' long-standing cleanliness protocols, and enhances the existing program with guidance developed in response to the pandemic, including recommendations related to deep cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene, and social distancing best practices and protocols.

Protocols

• Heightened cleaning protocols for high-traffic areas such as the front desk, fitness centers and pools, as well as other high-touch surfaces throughout the hotel, using hospital-grade disinfectant approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to combat the spread of COVID-19

• Housekeeping "on-demand" option that allows guests to request delivery of additional toiletries, towels, linens or coffee without having a housekeeper enter the room.

Products

• Design enhancements to help facilitate contactless check-in and check-out, such as plexiglass partitions at front desks for added protection and key drops for guests' use upon departure.

• "Clean seals" on certain high-touch items in guest rooms to provide reassurance of sterilized condition.

Communications

• On-property signage and decals reiterating CDC social distancing guidelines, personal sanitation guidelines and the importance of surface cleaning.

• Communications from front desk staff to guests about precautions taken for their safety and comfort, and reminders about additional safeguards available at guests' choosing.

Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Introduces Industry-Leading Cleaning Program: We Care Clean

Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) was the first hotel brand to set a high level of cleanliness with the roll out the I Care Clean program in 2012. The program was developed through a partnership with innovation and design firm, IDEO, and required its hotels to focus on guest high touch items and areas with standards

The We Care Clean program expands upon the I Care Clean standards and the enhanced cleaning protocol already in place, and includes the implementation of measures to improve safety - such as the installation of social distancing floor decals and front desk partitions - as well as the enforcement of heightened and comprehensive cleanliness standards on an ongoing basis across five key areas:

Front Desk and Lobby:

 New protocols will minimize guest contact with personnel through a streamlined check-in and check-out process such as the use of Best Western's Mobile Concierge platform.

Enhanced sanitization procedures will be in place at the front desk, in the lobby and across guest touch points throughout the hotel with disinfecting taking place regularly.

Guest Room and Housekeeping:

Unnecessary items will be removed from guest rooms, such as decorative pillows, bed scarves, paper notepads and pens.

Enhanced and thorough cleaning protocols will be implemented in guest rooms. Guest rooms will not be entered for 24 to 72 hours after check-out, at which time the room, linens and all touch points, for example, faucets, door handles, light switches, thermostats, clocks and hangers will be cleaned with chemicals aimed at killing COVID-19

Temporary Breakfast Offerings: While recognizing the importance of a quality breakfast, offerings have been adapted to prioritize the health and safety of guests, including:

 Breakfast offerings that comply with local regulations, with breakfast rooms closed where required to avoid unnecessary guest congregation.

Enhanced 'Grab & Go' offerings will be implemented in most hotels providing guests with pre-packaged food and beverage options.

Public Amenities:

 When allowed to open, public amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools and meeting rooms will be cleaned on closely monitored schedules with disinfecting chemicals.

Hotel Employees and Staff Requirements:

Hotel employees will follow strict guidelines, including utilizing Personal Protective Equipment, frequent and stringent hand-washing protocols, and housekeepers/laundry staff will wear both gloves and a mask.

 Employees will be empowered to stay home if unwell, communicate their potential exposure to COVID-19 with management, and will be fully educated on how to maintain a safe and clean home

This announcement is the latest example of BWHR's commitment to supporting its hoteliers, guests and communities during the COVID-19 health crisis. BWHR was the first hotel company to offer a relief package to its hoteliers to help ease the financial burden during this challenging time. BWHR was also the first in the industry to extend loyalty status to its BWR members whose travel plans have been greatly impacted by travel restrictions and cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.