Amongst the many protocols in place with regards to cleanliness and sanitation, Hyatt hotels’ commitment also includes Global Biorisk Advisory Council accreditation, hotel-level sanitisation specialists, and a working group of trusted medical and industry advisors. Read on to know more about these initiatives. By Bayar Jain

Guided by its purpose of care and experience delivering world-class hospitality for more than 60 years, the global chain has readjusted its focus to include additional safety initiatives under its umbrella. Hyatt Hotels – with its portfolio of more than 900 properties across 20 premier brands – has announced a Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment to further enhance its motto of safety and wellbeing.

“The world as we knew it has been fundamentally changed by COVID-19 and when we are all ready to travel again, we want to make sure that every Hyatt colleague and guest feel confident that each aspect of our commitment is designed with their safety in mind, and that we’re putting their wellbeing first,” says Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt.

The multi-layered commitment – which builds on Hyatt’s existing rigorous protocols – will also incorporate an accreditation process by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) at all their hotels. Colleague training and support resources, along with a cross-functional working group of medical experts and industry professionals will further ascertain this initiative.

“To do this, we must critically examine the hotel experience from every vantage point – from our rooms and our lobbies to our spas and dining – bringing in the latest research, technology and innovation to make that happen,” says Hoplamazian.
For this, Hyatt plans to introduce a GBAC START™ accreditation through a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme that will focus on establishing hotel environments that are sanitary, safe and healthy. GBAC is a division of International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), a worldwide cleaning industry association composed of leaders in microbial-pathogenic threat analysis and mitigation, designed specifically to deal with biological threats and real-time crises like the current pandemic. By joining forces with ISSA, Hyatt hotels become the first hospitality brand to announce plans of committing to the GBAC Start™ accreditation. Moreover, it also intends to complimenting the same with regular internal and third-party auditing.

The brand’s on-ground procedures and mandatory training will facilitate this. Daily colleague surveys will be introduced to measure colleague comfort; a hotel’s cleanliness; the working order; and customer service. By doing so, it will enable hotel leaders to address opportunities, make adjustments as necessary, and meet colleagues’ needs in real-time
By September 2020, every Hyatt hotel will also have (at least) one person appointed and trained as the Hygiene Manager. This role would involve monitoring and introducing new operational guidelines and protocols like colleague certifications, increasing frequency of hospital-grade cleanings, implementing food safety measures, ensuring easy access to hand sanitisers, exploring air purification methods, reasserting use of face masks for hotel teams, and encouraging social distancing in public areas of the property.

Apart from the in-house Hygiene Manager, a global cross-functional response team and occupational health experts teamed up to support efforts with the virus’ research findings and information, which further enabled Hyatt to promptly update detailed guidance to hotels and address specific needs and situations. The goal of this working group will be to provide counsel on key areas of Hyatt’s business and enabling the brand to act even more holistically in the post-pandemic environment.

Moreover, Hyatt has also introduced relief efforts such as The Hyatt Care Fund, a programme designed to support colleagues with pressing financial needs due to the pandemic. Any Hyatt colleagues in owned, managed and franchised hotels and in Hyatt’s corporate offices around the world are eligible to apply for the same.
Related:#TnlSalutes: Hyatt Hotels Launches Hyatt Care Fund For Its Employees In the Fight Against COVID-19