BWH Hotel Group which represents almost 300 independent hotels in Great Britain has researched 2,832 guests who resoundingly state they would choose not to stay at a hotel that removed Covid safety measures after 19 July.
Despite Government rules changing, nearly 80% of guests surveyed also indicated that they preferred hotels to continue with covid risk measures such as social distanced seating, mask wearing and contactless check in.
Rob Paterson, CEO at BWH Hotel Group GB said of the results: “Hoteliers need to balance the concerns of guests versus commercial business decisions.
“We have encouraged our hoteliers to read and digest all the new guidance from Government and UKHospitality ahead of the rules changing and make decisions that both protect their teams and guests, whilst ensuring they have an enjoyable stay this summer.
“Anecdotally, many of our hotels have told us they will be keeping most Covid safety measures, to provide assurances to guests their breaks are as safe as possible. This approach is one we wholeheartedly support and recommend across our hotels.
“Certain measures such as contactless check-in will remain in place across many of our hotels, as significant investments in technology and new procedures have been a positive move for them, regardless of Covid safety, and guests have welcomed the change.
“In such a tough time for all hospitality businesses, we need to capitalise on what will be a successful summer for many, whilst ensuring we do our collective duty to protect the British public.”
Interestingly, one area where hotel guests seem to welcome changes is room cleaning. Many hotels are not servicing bedrooms for short stays to limit time spent in guest bedrooms, according to the survey, 42% of guests would want their rooms now cleaned daily, and 58% would remain happy for it to be done on departure.
Perhaps surprisingly, less than a third of guests would welcome the return of a buffet breakfast, with 69% of guests wishing it to remain served to them at socially distanced tables, despite the resulting often perceived reduced scale and choice on offer.
Full Survey results – Online survey of 2,832 BW Rewards members in GB undertaken over 15 & 16 July.
- 6 in 10 (63%) would not stay at a hotel which removed its COVID-19 risk measures after restrictions are dropped.
- People think that the practices hotels adopted during the COVID-19 era are still important (% very & fairly important combined)
- 78%, social distancing should be maintained
- 78%, hotel staff should wear masks
- 78%, hotel guests should wear masks in public spaces
- 65%, keep screen on reception between staff and guests
- 43%, automated or online check-in available (though only 14% think this is ‘very important’)
- 82% intend to wear face masks in public after restrictions are dropped
Coworth Park to host Apprenticeships in Hospitality Roundtable in partnership with Umbrella Training
News from the hospitality and catering industry is also being featured extensively in our Facebook and twitter social media accounts with the opportunity to engage with others in hospitality and share your views.
Hospitality & Catering News: Guest survey tells 300 independent hotels ‘no Covid precautions post 19 July equals no stay’. – 18 July 2021 – Guest survey tells 300 independent hotels ‘no Covid precautions post 19 July equals no stay’.
Copyright: All content in Hospitality & Catering News is protected by copyright