Digital Hygiene Label Launched for Global Hotel Industry
German TÜV SÜD and GIATA have launched digital hygiene label for the global hotel industry. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the tourism industry hard, almost bringing it to a total standstill. Hotels, visitors, and tour operators around the world are now looking for reliable, independent hygiene criteria, in order to have complete peace of mind when booking. The testing and certification provider, German TÜV SÜD, Flowtify, and the travel technology firm, GIATA, are now releasing an audit app that allows hoteliers to attain the “staysafe – hygiene self-assessment” label.
The three cooperating companies have systematically documented relevant hotel industry hygiene criteria and are providing the new label via a multilingual audit app, featuring a checklist individually tailored to the respective hotel. The app automatically informs hoteliers who maintain their hotel information in “GIATA Drive” of their accommodation’s hygiene-related facilities and services, such as the pool or restaurant. They can then conduct a convenient, self-assessment using the digital checklist, which must be reconfirmed every month. If they meet the criteria, they can then use the label for 30 days. GIATA automatically assigns the “staysafe” label to hotel descriptions displayed on tour operators and OTA websites (like CHECK24, Easyjet Holidays, Expedia DE, FTI, Holidaycheck, Kayak, Lastminute, Schauinsland Reisen, Tripadvisor, TUI), GDS’s (like Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport), and search engines – covering in total 21,500 sales channels in 74 countries.
As a constant, standardised assessment tool with a clear assessment system, the staysafe label, featuring international hotel industry hygiene criteria, is a neutral sector benchmark that inspires confidence among corporate and private customers, as well as sales channels. Business Development Hotel Products at GIATA, Jana Friedel is confident that “When those making bookings see that hygiene is the top priority in this hotel, they will choose this accommodation rather than another hotel. Hoteliers who regularly conduct and externally communicate these checks have a clear competitive edge.”
Besides “staysafe”, GIATA additionally publishes labels from different providers along with new multilingual hygiene facts, such as contactless check-in/out or information about restricted buffet options.