Tui has introduced a 10-point plan for reopening its hotels.
In addition to organisation, capacity planning and hygiene measures, the plan includes intensive training of local staff.
The new standards will be implemented in the group’s own hotel brands, but will also be made available to its joint venture and hotel partners.
Tui said it was part of a more comprehensive package of measures that covers all of the tour operator’s service components, from retail, flights and transfers to hotel stays, excursions and cruises.
“Customer surveys clearly indicate that safety and hygiene will be of paramount importance for holidaymakers after the lockdown,” said Sebastian Ebel, the member of the group executive board responsible for holiday experiences.
“With our group-wide, integrated health and safety management system, we can ensure that our hotels meet guests’ high expectations and offer the best possible protection against infections during these unusual times.
“We are laying the foundations for an agile and safe return to business, so we can be ready to offer our unique holiday experiences again as soon as possible.”
The measures will be in addition to the statutory regulations of the respective destinations. In order to ensure an equally high level of safety in partner hotels not operated by Tui, the group has also launched a comprehensive training and inspection programme in cooperation with a hygiene and safety consultancy. This includes training materials, webinars, checklists and customer information and will be made available to the joint venture partners and hotel operators imminently.
“With this set of measures we are creating the framework required to ensure we can offer our guests enjoyable and safe holiday experiences as soon travel restrictions are lifted,” added Ebel.
“Tui can be relied upon to continue working hard, in close partnership with tourist destinations around the world, towards the gradual opening up of global tourism.”