Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has revealed that its more than 250 managed hotels in North America will soon all become Sharecare Health Security Verified with Forbes Travel Guide (FTG). Once the verification effort is completed, Sonesta will be the first hotel company to receive this designation across its managed hotel portfolio.
Each hotel’s health and safety protocols and procedures will be verified using Sharecare’s health security platform to confirm a comprehensive set of public health standards are met or exceeded including Sonesta’s own successful Stay Safe with Sonesta health and cleanliness program.
Sonesta developed the Stay Safe with Sonesta health and cleanliness program for all of its U.S. hotels in 2020 to meet or exceed CDC and government requirements and guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program includes enhanced public area cleaning and sanitizing; modernized guest service measures; updated room cleaning and sanitizing protocols; and new meeting and event space protocols, as well as enhanced training for team member safety and preparedness.
“The health and wellbeing of our guests and team members remains paramount as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond,” said Carlos Flores, president/CEO, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. “With this new verification process, we can provide our guests with increased assurance of health and safety when booking with Sonesta to help them enjoy a stress-free stay.”
In November 2020, Sharecare debuted a strategic partnership with FTG to empower the hospitality industry to mitigate the operational and health safety challenges resulting from the pandemic and restore confidence among travelers. The comprehensive verification covers more than 360 standards including health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, ventilation, physical distancing, the guest experience and health safety communications with guests and employees. As part of this verification, Sonesta will continue to re-verify properties regularly and evaluate and update protocols as necessary.
“The pandemic has made it clear that hotels and resorts must, first and foremost, assure guests of their safety,” said Filip Boyen, CEO, FTG. “By committing to becoming Sharecare Verified, Sonesta has demonstrated its dedication to creating a culture of accountability and following global best practices to heighten health security, verified by a third party.”