InterContinental Hotels Group has expanded its cleanliness
programme and on 1 June will launch an enhanced effort, the company announced
Monday.
In 2015, IHG partnered with hygiene and cleaning
technologies and services firm Ecolab and Diversey. The new programme, dubbed
IHG Clean Promise, continues those partnerships and adds insights from the
Cleveland Clinic as well as additional Covid-19 cleaning protocols and best
practices as advised by the World Health Organization, the US Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets
around the world.
Similar to other recently announced hotel company cleaning
protocols, IHG will practice social distancing, provide employee training and
certification, provide hand sanitiser and wipes, increase contactless
interactions, provide additional deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces and
provide new standards for food and beverage service. In addition, IHG will make
available guest amenity cleaning kits.
The company also has created a global cleanliness board,
composed of IHG experts in operations, health, safety and guest experiences,
along with external specialists including James Merlino, chief clinical
transformation officer at the Cleveland Clinic. Furthermore, on property, hotel
teams will appoint "clean champions" to help hotels consistently
deliver the elevated cleanliness standards.
IHG is also part of the American Hotel & Lodging
Association Safe Stay advisory council, which earlier this month introduced
industry cleaning and safety standards.