Hotels Embrace Industry-Wide Cleaning Standards Through “Safe Stay” Initiative; Launch #TakeMeBack Campaign

Mohonk Mountain House, a historic grand hotel resort in New York State’s Catskills Mountains. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has introduced Safe Stay, an industry-wide, enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to prepare America’s hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees as the economy reopens. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) introduced Safe Stay, an industry-wide, enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to prepare America’s hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees as the economy reopens. Safe Stay represents the top priority for the industry, the health and safety of guests and employees.

The standards of Safe Stay were developed under the guidance of an Advisory Council, comprised of industry leaders representing all segments of the hotel industry, and in conjunction with public health experts to advance best practices for protecting against the coronavirus. This initiative represents a new level of focus and transparency for an industry already built on cleanliness. Hotels have always met rigorous standards for cleaning and safety and these enhanced guidelines are rooted in recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“Safe Stay was developed specifically to ensure enhanced safety for hotels guests and employees. While hotels have always employed demanding cleaning standards, this new initiative will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “The industry’s enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols will continue to evolve to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.”

The “Safe Stay” guidelines are intended to be iterative, and will be revised as needed based on the recommendations of public health authorities, in compliance with any federal, state and local laws. They include guidance on the following:

  • Employee & guest health
  • Employee responsibilities
  • Cleaning products and protocols
  • Physical distancing

“The hotel industry maintains stringent standards for cleaning and safety, and the Safe Stay initiative helps to strengthen best practices to provide the healthy environments that travelers expect at hotels throughout the country,” said Ecolab. “Development of the Safe Stay initiative included guidance from Ecolab, a global leader in cleaning and disinfecting solutions and services that collaborates with the U.S. EPA, FDA, CDC, WHO and other organizations to help establish and promote best practice guidance, training and solutions.” For more than 90 years, Ecolab has partnered with the hotel industry to provide cleaner, safer and healthier environments for employees and guests.

“While the hotel industry was one of the first affected by the pandemic, we have collectively stepped up to serve their communities during this public health crisis.  Thousands of hotels across the country, more than half of those small businesses, are working tirelessly during this uncertain time to support their employees, healthcare workers and first responders. When the time is right, hotels will be ready to safely and eagerly welcome back America’s traveling public,” concluded Rogers.

The Safe Stay Advisory Council enhanced guidelines can be found at www.ahla.com/SafeStay

#TakeMeBack Campaign

AHLA has just launched the #TakeMeBack campaign to encourage travelers to remember their favorite hotel visits and travel experiences. 

There are three ways you can share your own favorite travel memory: 

  • Send a Virtual Postcard
    • Download one of AHLA’s pre-made postcards.
    • Share your postcard on social media using the #TakeMeBack hashtag, and challenge friends and colleagues to do the same by tagging them in the post.
  • Share a Vacation Photo
    • Share an old vacation photo, using the hashtag #TakeMeBack.
    • Tag the hotel property that you visited during that vacation, tag a friend or family member(s) that you traveled with, post your photo and challenge three friends or colleagues to participate.
  • Take AHLA’s Instagram Challenge
    • Follow AHLA on Instagram (@AmericanHotelAssociation) and participate in our #TakeMeBack “This or That Challenge” and tell us why you love to travel.
    • Screenshot the template “This or That” card off of AHLA’s Instagram story or visitAHLA.com/TakeMeBack to download the image.
    • Upload the image to your Instagram story and circle your preferences.
    • Tag three friends and the @AmericanHotelAssociation. 

Follow AHLA on social media (InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn) and visit AHLA.com/TakeMeBack for the latest campaign details. Learn more about the campaign by clicking here

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