Will Guests Opt-Out Of Housekeeping?

This could help mid-scale and economy hotels reduce operating costs while meeting a growing guest demand for contactless travel

- Vinita Bhatia

Housekeeping in hotels was traditionally a back-of-thehouse or behind-the-scenes process. However, the pandemic has brought it front and center. Today, hotels proudly flaunt their hygiene practices prominently to assure guests that they are primed for business, while keeping safety as the focal point.

On the occasion of International Housekeepers Week, which was celebrated from 12th to 18th September, 2021, Vinita Bhatia spoke to Dibyajyoti Majumder, Executive Housekeeper, The Westin Gurgaon to understand how the role and function of housekeeping has changed in today’s era.

Adhering to social distancing norms and keen to limit contact, are guests less inclined to allow hotel staff entry into their room, without their express permission?

About 90% of guests are opting for more frequent cleaning and sanitisation in their room. Guests, in fact, are very curious and interested to know how their room is cleaned, how often it’s cleaned and who is responsible for maintaining a safe environment, especially post-pandemic.

How does this affect the housekeeping duties during the limit of their stay?

We have enforced elevated precautionary operational protocols toensure that the latest guidelines on heightened sanitation practices, hygiene and clinical cleaning are met. This includes usage of specialised products, colour coded dusters for cleaning different surfaces and proper PPE equipment for associates as per brand protocols while maintaining safe distance while interaction.