CHICAGO, May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. hotels and resorts are raising their hygiene standards as the summer travel season begins, an infection prevention expert said.
George Clarke, chief executive officer of UMF Corp. -- a developer of infection prevention products -- said Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are among the larger chains that placed a high priority on guest safety and satisfaction by ensuring higher levels of infection prevention in guest rooms.
"The fact is, community-acquired infections -- like healthcare-acquired infections in hospitals -- have emerged as a serious public health concern," Clarke said in a statement. "Germs, allergens and other types of contaminants are a potential issue for everyone who visits a hotel and resort property."
Clarke said some hotels are using hospital-grade environmental hygiene practices, such as room-specific, color-coded products and one-per-room practices to ensure germs are not spread from room-to-room. Staff are trained to emphasize cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surface areas, Clarke said.
Better hygiene has had a positive impact on guest satisfaction scores. Clark said a survey last summer by Chubb Group Insurance Cos. found cleanliness was the most important factor to the average hotel guest -- topping price, location and security.
"It's no secret the role hygiene plays when people go about selecting a hotel," Clarke said. "No one wants to stay in a sick hotel room."
