ROCKVILLE, Md. — Choice Hotels International, Inc. has announced its new ‘Commitment to Clean’ initiative — a holistic approach to supplying franchisees and their employees with the tools to help Choice-branded hotels achieve superior levels of cleanliness and address concerns associated with COVID-19.
Commitment to Clean leverages Choice’s long-standing relationship with Ecolab; 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 initiative was also developed with insights from its franchisee advisory councils.
“The health and safety of our guests, franchisees and their employees is always top of mind for Choice,” says Patrick Pacious, president and CEO, Choice Hotels. “The Commitment to Clean initiative bolsters existing best-practice guidance, with enhancements advanced throughout the COVID-19 crisis, as our franchisees continue to provide accommodations for thousands of first responders and frontline and essential workers. As our nation starts to re-open and the public resumes travel, we want guests to know that Choice-branded hotels are prepared to welcome them back.”
The new initiative builds on Choice Hotels’ existing cleanliness protocols and enhances the existing program with guidance developed in response to the pandemic, including recommendations related to deep-cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene and physical-distancing best practices and protocols.
The company’s partnership with Ecolab is helping ensure Choice has the right infection-prevention programs and training in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes a new online resource hub available to franchisees, featuring operational best practices, training and resources from Ecolab experts.
Additionally, every Choice-branded hotel will designate a ‘Commitment to Clean Captain,’ who will complete applicable cleanliness training and will be responsible for incorporating the new protocols into their hotel’s operations.
Commitment to Clean features new and improved protocols, products and communications, some of which are already in place and will continue to roll out over the next few weeks.
The company will also be exploring the implementation of various technologies in the months ahead, including mobile check-in and keyless entry to further facilitate the contactless guest experience, as well as ultraviolet-light instruments, air purifiers and ozone generators to further enhance sanitation.
