{"id":244152,"date":"2020-05-15T14:03:51","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T13:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/?p=244152"},"modified":"2020-05-15T14:53:11","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T13:53:11","slug":"hotel-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/2020\/05\/15\/hotel-coronavirus-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"What a hotel stay might look like after the coronavirus pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friday\u00a0newsletters<\/a>\u00a0always feature luxury travel\u00a0contests<\/a>,\u00a0tips<\/a>,\u00a0series<\/a>, or\u00a0news<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Today (May 15, 2020): What a hotel stay might look like post the COVID-19 lockdown?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently ravaging throughout the world, although several countries appear to be curbing the spread thanks to strict measures and aggressive mitigation efforts. The pandemic has also halted the travel industry, with travelers frantically changing their plans, canceling some trips and postponing others. Although it’s not clear what the coming months will show, many people across the globe would like nothing more than to start traveling again once the threat of COVID-19 had subsided. However, the pandemic may kickstart changes in the travel industry that can alter nearly every aspect of a holiday. I previously published a blogpost on how COVID19 will affect air travel<\/a>, and today, I have a look on how the pandemic will drastically change our hotel stays in coming months, as many properties will introduce new practices to keep guests and employees safe. Two hotels are at the forefront of the hospitality world\u2019s battle against the coronavirus crisis and might be examples of what the \u2018new normal\u2019 may look like: Four Seasons New York<\/a> and \u00a0Soneva Maldives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What do you think a hotel stay will look like post COVID-19? Leave a comment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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SONEVA MALDIVES<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n

With travel and tourism accounting for a huge slice of the Maldivian economy and generating most jobs, clearly a \u2018new normal\u2019 has to include the re-opening of the country to tourists. But how can this be done safely? Sonu Shivdasani, CEO of the Soneva group which manages the Maldives’ two most luxurious properties (Soneva Jani<\/a> and Soneva Fushi<\/a>),\u00a0has published an interesting article<\/a> on the \u2018new normal\u2019 that will arise post COVID19 in the Maldives.<\/p>\n

In an era where guests are as preoccupied about safety, social distancing, and hygiene, Maldivian resorts are well placed. The country is one of the few to operate a policy of \u2018one island one resort\u2019 – a geographic advantage that makes it much easier to prevent and contain a coronavirus outbreak, because each resort can strictly control who steps onto their island. In fact, the English word \u2018isolation\u2019 and the Italian \u2018isola\u2019 both derive from the Latin \u2018insula\u2019, which means island. Island = isolation. Perhaps the country\u2019s tourism strapline “The Sunny Side of Life” needs to change to reflect the safe, isolated nature of its resorts.<\/p>\n

Mr Shivdasani believes that customers\u2019 fears over safety will be allayed by a rigorous new testing regime. Soneva plans to give everyone who arrives at our resorts a quick coronavirus test. After completing the test, guests will be escorted straight to their villa, or staff to their host accommodation, until the result comes through. If the test is negative, the guest or host can carry on as normal. If the test is positive, government rules will be followed, which likely means moving people to an isolation facility – which are fortunately some of the world\u2019s most luxurious, located in resorts.<\/p>\n

If such a testing policy was introduced across the Maldives, it will reassure tourists that the country is safe to visit, and also reduce the likelihood of future virus outbreaks. Robust testing for coronavirus also provides the Maldives with the opportunity of creating something truly unique: virus free hotels. By testing everyone who comes onto an island, it can be ensured that everybody on it is clear of the virus. This would render social distancing, and no-touching rules, unnecessary within that particular island. Maldivian resorts could thus transport guests back to the heyday of 2019, without constant coronavirus reminders spoiling their holiday. This could be a major \u2018differentiator\u2019 for Maldivian tourism compared to other holiday destinations.<\/p>\n

The \u2018new normal\u2019 in the Maldives will be different to the normal life enjoyed before COVID19. But the country remains extremely lucky because of its unique geography. If the right testing protocols are established, the Maldives will enjoy a significant competitive advantage \u2013 something that could underpin its future prosperity, even during these troubled and turbulent times.<\/p>\n