Few things have had such a deep and lasting impact on the world than the COVID-19 pandemic. The highly contagious coronavirus has effectively crippled economies, paralyzed travel, and fundamentally changed the way we all live and work. And while hope is on the horizon with the development and ongoing distribution of life-saving vaccines, the future remains uncertain on whether or not we can soon go back to the way things were before.
Nevertheless, life goes on—it has to. Many countries have already contained the spread of the virus by closing their borders early, enforcing strict lockdowns and quarantines, being aggressive with contact tracing, and providing free mass testing, among other measures. Now, their citizens are enjoying the rewards that come after making a few sacrifices. They are now able to freely walk around without masks, go to mass gatherings and events, and see their family members without fear of catching or spreading the virus.
Traveling for leisure has also started back up in many places around the world, and hospitality establishments such as hotels, motels, and rental homes are now opening their doors to tourists. Businesses of this nature in the Philippines should prepare themselves for an influx of clients once restrictions are eased in the country as well. However, it’s important to encourage guests to travel responsibly in light of the current situation as it continues to develop. Here’s how:
Urge Guests to Go Cashless
There’s simply no denying that cashless is the future. Not only is it faster, more convenient, and more secure than cash, it’s also infinitely safer, especially when taken in the context of COVID-19 and preventing its spread. It is a known fact that certain strains of the virus can continue to live on some surfaces from anywhere between a few minutes to several days. Moreover, handling cash and exchanging it with someone else carries the distinct possibility of catching or transmitting the virus through physical contact.
Fortunately, it’s easy to offer cashless methods of payment with solutions from Maya Business. Start by adding a Maya Checkout Plug-in to your hotel’s online reservation portal. This allows guests to pre-pay for their accommodations using a credit card, debit card, funds from their e-wallet, and other emerging ways to pay. Clients who prefer to pay for their rooms on-site can also be accommodated. The Maya ONE POS device accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as NFC and QR payments. It’s even equipped with its own physical receipt printer. Of course, there’s also scanning to pay using Maya QR, now a familiar fixture at many establishments all over the country.
Even home rental operators can offer their guests a cashless experience with the Maya ONE Lite device. It accomplishes nearly everything the regular Maya ONE POS device does—except printing physical receipts and accepting card transactions via magstripe swipes. Nonetheless, it’s a light and compact payment solution for on-the-go cashless transactions.
Lead Customers Towards Authorized and Trusted Experience Providers
One of the most effective ways to control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent transmission is to strictly control movement of people. While doing so would be overbearing and unrealistic in many hospitality settings, there are ways to lead guests towards safer areas and leisurely pursuits that will keep them away from the risks posed by the virus. Consider partnering up with experienced providers that your establishment trusts and can help you in terms of ensuring the safety of your guests. These establishments should strictly observe and implement health protocols and put the wellbeing of guests above profit.
Remind Clients to Follow Proper Infection Prevention Protocols
Though restrictions in some places may have eased enough to have allowed traveling in the first place, it’s important to continue following the proper infection prevention protocols where necessary, such as wearing a mask and face shield, washing hands frequently with soap and water, and practicing proper social distancing. Hospitality establishments can remind their guests of these protocols with visual aids posted in the appropriate areas, as well as ones that see plenty of foot traffic. If possible, you should have staff members that you can task with providing gentle but stern reminders to all your guests as well. Installing hand sanitizer stations at strategic areas throughout the property can also help guests keep their hands clean and prevent them from contracting or spreading the virus.
Endorse the Use of Contact Tracing Applications
Aggressive contact tracing has helped many countries keep their numbers of positive COVID-19 cases low. This has allowed people to quickly get back to their normal lives and enjoy leisurely activities the way they used to before the pandemic. However, making guests register all of their comings and goings can soon become an inconvenient pain point. Shifting to a digital application that automatically logs a guest’s location and alerts them if they’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can ease this very specific burden and give those who may have been at increased risk of exposure to the virus a chance to immediately take action and quarantine themselves.
Traveling during a pandemic poses a unique set of challenges. However, they can all be overcome with some foresight and consideration. By urging guests to be responsible and to follow the most recent recommended guidelines and best practices on how to protect themselves from COVID-19, there’s no reason why they can’t have a safe and enjoyable stay at your hospitality establishment.
