CHOICE HOTELS CANADA LAUNCHES COMMITMENT TO CLEAN INITIATIVE

Enhances best practice guidance for cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene and social distancing to help protect the health and safety of guests, franchisees and their employees amid COVID-19 pandemic

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (May 14, 2020) – Choice Hotels Canada is launching Commitment to Clean for its more than 330 hotels across the country. The initiative is Choice Hotels’ holistic approach to supplying franchisees and their associates with the tools they need to help Choice-branded hotels achieve superior levels of cleanliness, and address health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Commitment to Clean leverages Choice’s long-standing relationship with Ecolab, the industry expert and global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention technologies and services; and guidance from the World Health Organization.
 
 
Choice Commitment to Clean
 
 
"The health and well-being of our guests, franchisees and their associates is a top priority for us," said Brian Leon, president, Choice Hotels Canada. “We’re watching as provinces begin to ease restrictions and when consumers begin considering travel again, we want them to know that we’re ready to welcome them back.”
 
The Commitment to Clean initiative builds on Choice Hotels’ long-standing cleanliness protocols and enhances the existing program with guidance developed in response to the pandemic, including guidelines related to deep cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene, and social distancing best practices and protocols.
 
Choice Hotels’ complete approach to infection prevention includes a close association with Ecolab, which is helping ensure the company has the right infection prevention programs and training in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes a new online resource hub available to franchisees, featuring operational best practices, training and resources from Ecolab’s industry-leading experts.
 
Over the next few weeks, guests may experience a growing variety of new and improved protocols, products and communications, some of which are already in place, to promote health and safety, including:


Protocols

  • Heightened cleaning protocols for high-traffic areas such as the front desk, fitness centres and pools, as well as other high-touch surfaces throughout the hotel.
  • Furniture arrangements designed to encourage appropriate social distancing.
  • Housekeeping “on-demand” option that allows guests to request delivery of additional toiletries, towels, linens or coffee without having a housekeeper enter the room.
  • Changes in breakfast offerings, with many hotels that provide breakfast replacing their buffet with pre-packaged breakfast items.


Products

  • Design enhancements to help facilitate contactless check-in and check-out, such as plexiglass partitions at front desks for added protection and key drops for guests’ use upon departure.
  • Personal protective equipment for hotel staff, including masks and gloves, to safeguard guests and employees.
  • Hand sanitizing stations located in high-traffic areas throughout the hotel, such as the front desk, breakfast area, elevator lobbies and fitness centre.


Communications

  • On-property signage is available to hotels, reiterating social distancing guidelines, personal sanitation guidelines and the importance of surface cleaning.
  • Communications from front desk staff to guests about precautions taken for their safety and comfort, and reminders about additional safeguards available at guests’ choosing.
     
The company will also explore the implementation of various technologies in the months ahead, including mobile check-in and keyless entry to further facilitate the contactless guest experience.
 
About Choice Hotels Canada®:
Choice Hotels Canada is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the country with more than 350 properties currently open or under development. The Choice™ family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travellers with a range of high-quality lodging options, including limited to full-service hotels in the upscale, mid-scale, extended stay and economy segments. Brands in Canada include Ascend Hotel Collection®, ComfortTM, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn®. All hotels are independently owned and operated. Choice Hotels Canada is a master franchisee of Choice Hotels International, Inc., with more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 575,000 rooms, in over 40 countries and territories. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members benefits from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit http://www.choicehotels.com
 
For more information, please contact:
Lauren Wasley
Carlaw Communications
T: 647-883-9439