02 Jun 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing hotel guests’ behaviors and expectations. They spend more time in their rooms, and as a result, unauthorized smoking is on the rise. At the same time, the hospitality industry is adapting to meet higher expectations for cleanliness with new procedures and technologies. With the only technology to immediately detect and scientifically prove smoking, FreshAir Sensor enables hotels and short term rental companies to manage no-smoking policies and promote cleanliness.
For hotels and vacation rentals, shifting travel habits mean preparing for more smoking inside. While frequent business travel has decreased during the pandemic, the work-from-home trend provides workers with the flexibility to take their offices anywhere. Remote workers and leisure travelers are turning to road trips to explore rural parts of the country and prefer longer stays over weekend getaways. In response to these changes, many mid and luxury scale hotels have lowered rates to increase occupancy and, in some cases, shifted the demographics of their customer base. With a different population of guests spending more time in their rooms, the hospitality industry has seen an increase in the number of unauthorized smoking events.
In addition to changes in traveler profiles and itineraries, the American Hotel & Lodging Association State of the Industry 2021 Report details that the pandemic has modified guest expectations for cleanliness. Hotel companies turned to third party cleaning certifications and heightened transparency via corporate cleaning programs such as Marriott’s Commitment to Cleanliness, IHG’s Clean Promise, and Hilton’s CleanStay. To allow for distancing, public areas and gathering spaces have been modified and amplified. Because smoking is a top factor in negative guest reviews related to cleanliness, limiting unwanted smoking continues to be a top priority for hoteliers.
Adapting to changing travel norms, the hospitality industry is investing in new technology to meet changing guest needs. Contactless check-in as well as novel cleaning technologies help to meet new expectations. FreshAir smoking sensors immediately detect tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke, and the FreshAir monitoring service sends smoking alerts directly to hotel management via desktop, email, and/or text. The FreshAir smoking detection system supports the hospitality industry’s shift towards contactless processes and enables hoteliers to enforce no-smoking policies quickly, remotely, and safely.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed travel as well as guest habits and expectations. Many hotels and short term rentals are rising to the occasion by investing in new technology. FreshAir Sensor continues to support hotels by providing a contactless solution for smoke-free enforcement and room cleanliness.