InterContinental Hotels Group has introduced a new global standard of hotel cleanliness and hygiene following a major collaboration with internal and external specialists in operations, health, safety and guest experience.

The experts, collectively known as the IHG Global Cleanliness Board, have collaborated with Cleveland Clinic chief clinical transformation officer, James Merlino, to design the company’s new best practices and implementation processes.

Building on IHG’s ‘Way of Clean’  – which launched in 2015 in partnership with Ecolab and Diversey – the programme is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols.

IHG’s  Way of Clean already includes deep cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants, however  under the new program the hotel group will implement additional measures including a reduction of high-touch in-room furnishings and new laundry protocols.

Deep cleaning will also be conducted on high-touch surfaces, social distancing  as well as the introduction of “last cleaned” charts for items such as glassware and the television remote control

Each hotel will also appoint a number of personnel, known as ‘Clean Champions’ to continue to endorse and enhance the new hygiene culture by helping to train new staff in the protocols and ensure standards are met and exceeded consistently.

Underpinning the new hygiene regime is a ‘Clean Promise’ from IHG which states that if a guest is unsatisfied with the standard of cleanliness in their room, the property will immediately rectify the situation. The new policy takes effect from 1 June, 2020.

IHG CEO Keith Barr, said that while travel may change, the fundamentals of a safe, secure stay will not.

“By combining IHG’s world-class knowledge and processes, with cutting-edge expertise from Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, we can reassure guests and colleagues that we’re focused on protecting their health and wellbeing.

“This includes looking at where technology can make a difference, deploying enhanced, highly visible and more frequent cleaning measures, and different approaches to food and beverage, all underpinned by our new IHG Clean Promise.”

Other global hotel chains including Accor, Radisson, Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott International have all recently announced new cleaning measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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