Ultraviolet light technology and electrostatic spray guns firing hospital-grade disinfectant will be among a raft of measures to be rolled out globally by Marriott International in a sweeping series of reforms to boost cleanliness in its hotel portfolio.
Spearheaded by what the company calls a ‘Global Cleanliness Council’, the initiative will draw on expertise from the company’s worldwide network of housekeeping staff, engineering teams, food safety experts, occupational health and wellbeing associates to source and introduce new technology to boost in-house sanitisation and safety.
Leading the Council will be the company’s Chief Global Officer for Operations, Ray Bennett. Joining alongside as advisors will be globally renowned Professors in areas including Food Microbiology, Infectious Disease Prevention, Food Safety and Tourism Management, among others.
The electrostatic spray guns utilise disinfectants endorsed by the World Health Organisation to treat known pathogens. The technology can be used in a hotel setting to rapidly clean guest rooms, lobbies, fitness centres and other public areas. Ultraviolet light will be used to sanitise room keys, staff workstations, shared hotel tablets and other items used by multiple team members.
Guests will begin to notice changes in coming months to housekeeping and routine cleaning procedures, with specific areas of focus to include surface areas, which has been found to harbour traces of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Disinfectant wipes will be added to guest rooms along with notices encouraging guests to make use of them. Permanent hand sanitiser stations will be installed at front entrances, near elevators, front desks, fitness centres and meeting rooms along with signage directing guests to make use.
Moving forward longer-term, Marriott will maintain social distancing protocols by installing signage reminding guests of the potential dangers of close congregation. Lobby furniture will also be re-arranged to allow guests to maintain space between each other. Food service will also be revamped, with new designs expected to be rolled out for buffets and new operational practices for in-room dining.
Marriott International CEO, Arne Sorenson, said we are living in a new age where COVID-19 will be front and centre in the minds of the public for some time to come.
“We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and planning for in the near future in the areas of cleanliness, hygiene and social distancing so that when they walk through the doors of one of our hotels, they know our commitment to their health and safety is our priority.
“It’s equally important to us that our associates know the changes we are making to help safeguard their health as they serve our guests.”