Covid19 live blog roundup: Hotels reopen amid raft of new protocols

We summarise updates shared on the TOPHOTELNEWS Covid19 live blog to draw a picture of how the international hotel industry is negotiating the ongoing crisis.

The international hospitality industry has been sent into a tailspin with the sudden onslaught of the coronavirus crisis. From lockdowns to travel bans and border closures, hotels are having to navigate more uncertain waters than ever before.

Our team has been tracking in real-time how the industry is reacting to the continuing crisis, and here we recap some of the recent activity around the world, focusing on positive developments in particular.

Hotels around the world swing back into action

In many parts of the world, the hospitality industry is breathing a cautious sigh of relief as hotels begin to reopen following months of lockdown. Barcelo Costa Vasca is once again welcoming guests in San Sebastián, for example, while RIU is celebrating the reopening of two of its Moroccan properties, Riu Palace Tikida Taghazout and Riu Tikida Dunas.

Four Seasons, meanwhile, is busy rolling out its new Lead with the Care safety programme, which has enabled the group to bring back Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. And further south in Las Vegas, strong demand for the hotels run by Caesars Entertainment has seen the group plan to reopen its Bally’s Hotel to accommodate more guests.

Elsewhere, Hard Rock Hotels is betting big on the tourist trade in Mexico and is reopening a large swathe of its properties in the country, including venues in Cancún, Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Punta Cana. And finally, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is throwing open the doors of Mandarin Oriental, Miami and Mandarin Oriental, Canouan.

Increasing grounds for optimism within the hospitality

There are many reasons to be optimistic right now, as cancelled events, delayed conferences and postponed gatherings seem to be showing signs of a welcome return. In the UK, conferences and exhibitions have been given the go-ahead from 1 October 2020, while properties in Cancún are looking forward to a reported occupancy rate of 60% in December.

Another noteworthy development is happening at Radisson Hotel Group, which is pressing ahead with the rollout of its new safety policies – another Park Inn by Radisson property has just passed the test. OYO is going down a similar track by partnering with Unilever to create its own hygiene standards for a post-Covid19 world, and Hilton has declared itself ‘EventReady’ by setting out a range of recommendations for meetings and events spanning cleanliness, physical distancing, catering and more.

All of this is good news for travellers who, in a study conducted by Oracle and Skift, say they are looking forward to taking trips once again.