Businesses across California are developing innovative ways to implement safety measures and mitigate risk so that they may reopen their doors to visitors. Below are a few examples that showcase best practices across various categories.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Martin Resorts is using social media to visually show new cleaning and safety protocols. The campaign highlights new safety measures by using imagery of actual hotel team members cleaning rooms and uses pinned Instagram stories to highlight all new measures.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach created a new Sani-Czar team to ensure new protocols are followed. The Sani-Czar team can deliver masks and small batch hand sanitizer to guests, ensure the sanitization stations around the resort are functioning, clean high-touch areas, and guide guests in following safety and distancing protocols. The resort also created distancing decals, guest check in times are staggered, and check-outs are now done digitally.
The Four Sisters Inns Collection including Coachman's Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Green Gables Inn and Gosby House Inn in Pacific Grove have been working on new protocols to ensure their guests can enjoy the comfort of a bed and breakfast experience with safety in mind. Guests will be contacted in advance of their stay for payment to minimize contact. Breakfast will be delivered to guest rooms or through advanced table reservations and will be served plated. The Inns will also convert their signature snacks into a picnic amenity found in guest rooms including their famous cookies, cheese and wine for two.
The village of Carmel-by-the-Sea has 42 inns offering a sum total of 990 rooms. The Carmel Innkeepers Association has established safety guidelines that are specific to the small independently owned and operated inn typical to those found in this quaint seaside village. The “Carmel Innkeepers Clean & Safe Commitment” provides protocols for both employees and guests to follow while on property. Each guest is given a copy of the guidelines before and/or upon arrival.
Scheduled to reopen on July 1, LOGE Mt. Shasta is launching a campaign called “Guide to Summer series,” with guidelines on how to safely navigate the new world of travel and outdoor recreation. They’ve also put together a “Go: Together Code”- a code of conduct that outlines how to keep their guests and their staff safe at a LOGE camp during this pandemic. And they’ve created “Intentional Space” on the grounds, rearranging all of the firepits, hammocks and grill to make it easy to keep 6 feet apart.
The Meritage and Vista Collina Resort and Spa introduced UV light sterilizers for in-room sanitation, and in-room streaming fitness content. They will also retool meeting rooms and event spaces to reflect social distancing standards. The properties are also changing buffet-style meals to market or attendant-assisted build-your-own style, and at Vista Collina Resort, guests will have access to a food truck to enjoy a meal al fresco.
DESTINATIONS
Travel Costa Mesa has collected information from its 11 hotel partners and created a reference page for each property – making it easy for visitors to the destination to find all the information in one location.
Visit Tri-Valley and its Board of Directors has unanimously approved to provide all Visit Tri-Valley lodging properties with a free one-year membership to the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA), beginning June 1, in hopes that it will enable all 38 area hotels a head start in offering a safer guest experience.
In Santa Barbara there's a new temporary nine-block pedestrian promenade on State Street, from Haley to Sola streets, which will be open through Labor Day. People are walking, biking and taking their kids out in strollers in the street. Restaurants and bars partnering with food businesses have expanded their seating outside onto sidewalks.
ATTRACTIONS
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord have released details on the use of new advanced technology systems to protect guests and employees, including: state-of-the-art thermal imaging for temperature checks; advanced security screening technology for touchless bag checks; and expanded mobile food ordering. The parks will employ a sophisticated online reservation system to manage attendance, schedule guests for entry by day, and stagger arrival times to minimize proximity exposure.
“Lil’ Toot,” Santa Barbara’s original waterfront taxi that shuttles guests between Stearns Wharf and the Harbor, is wearing a face mask on its bow. Families can step aboard for a fun daytime harbor tour while the crew dishes out local history and lore of the waterfront and harbor. Frequent cleanings occur throughout the trip, and face masks and social distancing are required for all guests and crew.
TRANSPORTATION
Pure Luxury Transportation has implemented a “Hospital Grade Decontamination” policy, including the use of Professional Lysol IC Quaternary Disinfectant in its offices and vehicles after every passenger has exited. In addition, they are adding TRANSFORM Hospital Grade Disinfectant during daily decontamination procedures. The company is also implementing a strict policy for employees - adding a Medical Grade Infrared Non-Touch Thermometer to the offices so that each staff member will be checked at the beginning of their shift. All drivers will follow PPE guidelines and wear masks and gloves.
