How to make sure that your hotel respects sanitary measures?

This summer, a new kind of logo will adorn the front of some hotels or campsites. "Our establishment undertakes to comply with health regulations", claims a blue poster unveiled on June 2, marked with the logo of the French Republic. By affixing it to the entrance of their establishments, tourism professionals indicate that they respect the code of good health conduct against Covid-19.

100% reliable measurement? The poster may be displayed on a simple declarative basis, by self-evaluation. A less demanding approach than in Portugal, where the “Safe & Clean” label, set up by the Ministry of Tourism, implies a prior request and a possible a posteriori control.

The government invites hoteliers and other tourism professionals to affix this poster at the entrance of their establishment. Ministry of Labour

Tailor-made labels according to hotel groups

To ensure that they are ready for the resumption of tourism and above all to regain the confidence of holidaymakers, large groups also call on companies specializing in testing, inspection and certification. Accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (Cofrac), they play the role of an independent third party. In April, B&B Hotels and Odalys Vacances joined forces with Socotec to create a " certification reference system on hygiene, health and Covid-19 decontamination protocols ". For its part, Afnor Certification will soon award the “Covid-19 sanitary measures” label to several tourist sites, including the La Plagne tourist office and Les Écrins resort.

At Accor, the sixth largest hotel group in the world ( which also owns brands such as Ibis, Sofitel, Novotel, Raffles or Pullman, Editor's note ), we ensure that the health, safety and well-being of employees and customers remain a top priority. In April, the brand and Bureau Veritas, a world leader in inspection and certification, joined forces to develop a label aimed at certifying that the level of safety and hygiene measures is suitable for the recovery of activity. "Allsafe is a label specific to Accor which wanted to have additional points approved ," specifies Jacques Pommeraud, managing director of Bureau Veritas France and Africa. The hotel group undertakes in particular, in all of its establishments in France and worldwide, to bag and wash bed linen at 60 ° C (temperature enabling the virus to be eliminated), to provide a hygienic kit ( wipes, masks and individual disinfectant) to each client and medical assistance in partnership with AXA. The “Safeguard” label created by Bureau Veritas was requested by the Avoriaz 1800 mountain resort, the Mélia group and Pierre & Vacances, in particular.

Read also: Summer vacation: Accor will offer medical assistance to its customers with Axa

Hotels inspected from every angle

In France as everywhere in the world (here the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas), plexiglass windows are installed at the reception of hotels. Ethan Miller / AFP

Installation of signage to organize physical distance, availability of hydroalcoholic gel, cleaning every two hours of reception desks and contact points ... In all, 40 checkpoints are verified with the Safeguard label. The hotelier must in particular know the procedure to follow in the event of suspected contamination in the establishment. " The specifications are based on the recommendations of health authorities (WHO, Ministry of Health ...), but also on the advice of doctors, epidemiologists and professionals in the tourism industry ," says Jacques Pommeraud.

Several hotel representatives were consulted, such as the Hotel Trades and Industries Union (Umih) and the National Group of Hotel Chains (GNC). “ We also rely on benchmarks from other sectors and on our history ,” continues Nicolas Detchepare, general manager of Equipment & Industry at Socotec. The experience we have acquired in Asia during the SARS and H5N1 epidemics helps us to better understand the current epidemic, especially in the tourism sector. "

Read also: The hotel starts up again, step by step

To be labeled, the professional himself requests an approved certification body. An inspection takes place in the following days, physically or remotely. If all the requirements are met, the establishment receives the label which it can then display at the entrance and on digital media (website, booking platforms, etc.). " A mystery visit is planned to see the continuation of good practices over time ," says Jacques Pommeraud. " Beyond the simple inspection, our role is to support hoteliers in their approach to allow them to restart their activity as quickly as possible, " insists Nicolas Detchepare.

At Barrière, we get involved differently

Barrière establishments will open their doors to customers from June 5. Barrier / Photo press

But not all of them go through this type of organization while respecting all of the measures issued by the Government. The Barrière group has created its own health charter with specific measures depending on the hotel. "But from Deauville to Dinard, via La Baule or Cannes, a bailiff checks and certifies the proper implementation of health protocols before opening to the public," confirms to Figaro Emmanuelle Galizzi, director of press relations for the group. The French group has also appointed a health safety referent in each of the establishments and workplaces, which answers any question concerning the procedures in place and guarantees the supply as well as the management of stocks of sanitary devices.

Concretely for the traveler, digitalization has been reinforced throughout the customer journey to limit contact: contactless payment, and check-in procedures, express check-out, reservation and digital invoicing. Always to respect physical distance, wearing a mask is compulsory for customers ( and all employees, Editor's note ) in the common areas of hotels. No more room service , but customers are asked to communicate their choice of breakfast the day before for the next day and to reserve to take advantage of the restaurant areas. In addition, some self-service items are available individually or in dematerialized version (fruit and confectionery, magazines, brochures, etc.).

Finally, certain equipment is immediately renewed after each use, in particular in the sanitary areas, rest areas as well as in the areas of restaurants and bars. Another way to best reassure its customers with a single slogan, "we take care of everything, especially you".