Sabrina Flores
Communications
Discover Albany
sabrina@relentlessaware.com
518.813.4905
May 14, 2020
State’s Tourism Association Educates Travelers on Benefits of Staying in a Hotel Post-COVID19
ALBANY, NY – In response to the uncertainties following the COVID19 pandemic, several stories and articles have emerged comparing the safety of hotels and short-term rental stays (such as Airbnb or VRBO). Now more than ever, NYSH&TA feels it is the duty of the Association to use its platform to educate travelers on the new standards set in place by the New York State hospitality industry to make a guests’ stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
Lodging properties in New York State are now implementing new operating guidelines that include enhanced cleaning protocols to protect the wellbeing of guests and employees in response to the pandemic.
Examples of operating guidelines and best practices set forth by NYS hotels include:
- Increased cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces and communal areas
- Hand sanitizer (touchless if possible) at hotel entrances and key contact areas such as lobbies, elevator landings, pool & exercise areas, etc.
- Removing rooms from service for 72 hours after a guest leaves before cleaning
- Employers are encouraged to take temperatures of employees (policy should be applied equally)
- Plexiglass installed at front desk to protect the guest and front desk employee
“As New York State begins to ease back in to business, the real hope is that the state’s tourism industry will have a respectable summer and fall tourism season where families can experience all the great state of New York has to offer,” said Mark Dorr, NYSH&TA President. “There have been many articles written about hotels and the ability to sanitize rooms and make sure guests are safe. The new guidelines put in place throughout the State, Nation and World with regard to cleaning ‘best practices’ should leave no doubt that legitimate lodging businesses like hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts will be the best and safest choices for overnight stays this summer.”
“Discover Albany is proud of the dedication of our hotel partners in Albany County as they work to ensure the health and safety of visitors to our destination,” said Jill Delaney, Discover Albany President & CEO. “Our hotel partners have been working long hours to implement safety measures to help promote a clean, safe, and enjoyable experience for guests, which will be vital in rebuilding the tourism and hospitality industry across New York State.”
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About The New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
The New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA) is a not-for-profit trade organization representing 1,000-member businesses and individuals in the lodging and attractions industry. NYSH&TA's mission is to provide a strong voice for the New York State hospitality and tourism industry, and to protect and enhance the financial welfare of the industry. For more information, call (518) 465-2300 or visit www.nyshta.org.
About Discover Albany. The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was established in 1976 to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community through increased development of conventions and tourism. Today, the organization is known as Discover Albany. Discover Albany currently represents more than 300 member businesses and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings. Discover Albany also operates the Discover Albany Visitors Center, Henry Hudson Planetarium, and the Albany International Airport Information Center. The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau Foundation was established in 1993 to provide educational opportunities and work with other organizations to secure grants and funding to advance regional travel and tourism projects. For more information, call 518-434-1217 or 800-258-3582 or visit www.albany.org.