By Steve Hartridge, published 27/05/20
The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) is launching an ‘ASAP Stay with Confidence Promise’ as part of its revamped accreditation process to reassure guests that levels of cleanliness are ‘pandemic-proof’.
The hygiene standard covers a multitude of elements, both before and after a guest stay.
It ranges from the pre-arrival deep cleaning of rooms, lift buttons and other touch-points, to PPE worn by staff within the premises. Other features include hands-free entry and multiple stations of sanitiser gel to a period of non-occupation between guest stays to avoid cross-contamination.
The serviced apartment sector, which sees guests housed in self-contained units that ensure ‘social distancing’ and features keyless entry systems, expects to come into its own post-COVID-19.
James Foice, ASAP CEO, says: “During the (COVID-19) crisis we have worked closely with councils and public bodies to offer safe serviced apartments to those desperate to isolate close to work, or needing emergency accommodation.
“The comments we have got back are all about the standard of cleanliness and the ability for guests to isolate safely, in comfort, made us realise how the industry was calling out for a formalisation of standards that we can all meet, across the industry. Crucially, this offers that all-important reassurance to visitors and travel buyers that serviced apartments offer a vision of accommodation post-COVID.”
Marcia Gomez, Managing Director of Cotels which has joined the ASAP Emergency House Support Scheme, said: “It’s been a challenging time for everyone the past few weeks, so the support, advice and tools being offered by ASAP have and will continue to be, invaluable to us all.
“Safety and cleanliness to build traveller confidence is going to be paramount in the ‘new world’. The accreditation scheme will play an important role in this.”
Serviced apartment providers and agent companies listed in ASAP’s directory Staywithconfidence.com have all met a minimum standard of ISAAP Compliance and Accreditation with regards to safety, security and duty of care.
