TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

COVID-19

“Achoo! Will Plexiglass Dividers Make Post- Pandemic Airlines Feel Safe?’

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A mock-up of an interior with 3 seats, the middle turned in the opposite direction. Pretty genius! illustration courtesy Avio Interiors

The New York Post reports on an Italian company, Avio Interiors, that’s already designed the latest in virus-proof comfortable airplane seating. While there are no wheelchairs seats yet, there are some serious upgrades including more space and plastic germ shields. (You have no idea how far a sneeze droplet can travel until you’ve ridden the New York City subway.)

OUR TAKE: If airlines are going to go back to cattle car mode to survive, adding plexiglass seat dividers to their existing protocols and create opposing-facing middle seats may at least one way to mitigate the risk of infection 

Radical New Ideas for Flying Post Covid-19

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a couple who are asian wearing masks heading to a baggage claim

Better leave some extra time before you board that flight. NPR’s Marketplace explores what systems may be in place to protect you and your fellow passengers when flying takes off again. Read more.

Major Tour Operator Using “Well Being Directors” to Oversee Safety on Trips

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A set of items laid out in preparation for a trip including jeans, sneakers, sunglasses, passport, disinfectant, mask, gloves, shirt

The Travel Corporation, which owns 30 travel brands, announced new wellbeing policies for its guided vacations.  The Well-being Directors will be trained in supplier engagement and compliance, daily monitoring of distancing, and hygiene standards. They will offer personal support to guests who have any questions or concerns relating to wellbeing measures while traveling. See more.

Restarting Travel: What the U.S. Can Learn from China

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With China’s Covid-19 lockdown over, there will be some early lessons to learn from them. In the past two weeks, consumer confidence in travel has grown, according to a recent report from McKinsey and Company. The cautiously optimistic tone reflects how fragile both wellness and willingness are around the globe. The world is watching as the Chinese navigate their new normal. Read more, here. The report summarizes trends in the hotel, airline, and younger returns in China.

OUR TAKE: It’s wonderful to read such positive statistics and insights in the McKinsey report.  One insight that stuck with us: “When a lockdown ends, the first thing people want to spend money on is eating out. The second is travel. Our consumer survey shows that confidence in domestic travel rose by 60 percent over the past two weeks.” The focus is on the regional traveler who is not yet ready to go beyond domestic trips this summer. Industry forecasts show the same to be true in the U.S.

We Will Not Be Out Sanitized! How 13 Hotel Chains are Making Themselves Clean and Safe

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scrubbing with rubber gloves that are blue and spray bottle and paper towel

In an effort to allay traveling consumers’ fear of contracting Covid-19, the leading hotel chains are practically falling over one another in an effort to demonstrate that their safe and clean initiatives are developed in conjunction with top health organizations. Each hotel’s protocol starts with guidance from the Center for Disease Control. On top of that, each hotel group is also collaborating with a panoply of respected health brands for validation. Here are the details:

The Marriott International Global Cleanliness Council is made up of advisory members: a senior corporate scientist, food safety and public health for Ecolab; an infectious disease specialist at Adventist Healthcare; and the professor of food microbiology in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University.

Hilton has incorporated CleanStay with Lysol Protection, a scientific approach to cleaning practices and product offerings. Experts from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team also advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning and disinfection protocols. 

Hyatt’s Global Care Initiative involves an accreditation process by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) at all 900 hotels worldwide. The hospitality brand plans to introduce a GBAC STAR accreditation through a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program.

The IHG Clean Promise team is working closely with medical experts at the  Cleveland Clinic to develop guidance and resources for hotel teams on returning to work and keeping guests safe in this new environment. 

\Four Seasons “Lead with Care” is a collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, the leading global division of health care and research. Johns Hopkins blesses its new global health and safety program and provides ongoing, real-time guidance on the evolving Covid-19 situation.

Cleanliness Protocols for 13 Hotel Groups Globally

Hotel ChainClean + SafePrimary Brands
Accor GroupAll SafeFairmont, Sofitel 
Best WesternWe Care CleanBest Western, BW Collection, Sure Stay
Choice HotelsCommitment to CleanChoice, Quality Inn, Clarion, Comfort Inn
Extended StayStay ConfidentExtended Stay America
Four SeasonsLead with CareFour Seasons hotel and resort
G6Covid UpdateMotel 6
HiltonClean StayHilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree. Hampton Inn,  
Hyatt HotelsGlobal Care CommitmentHyatt, Hyatt Regency, Destination Hotels
IHG HotelsFresh TakeHoliday Inn, Intercontinental, Kimpton, Embassy Suites
Loews HotelsSafety and Well BeingLoews Hotels and Resorts
MarriottCommitment to CleanMarriott, JW Marriott, Ritz Carleton
OmniSafe and CleanOmni
Radisson HotelsSocial ResponsibilityRadisson, Radisson Blue
WyndhamCount on UsWyndham, Ramada, Days Inn, Travelodge, Howard Johnson

We’ve also added a cleanliness 101 session to TravelAbility Summit 2020. Find the agenda, here.

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