Cities Develop Branded Covid-19 Security Measures To Increase Tourism

A “Sunshine Steward” from St. Pete / Clearwater rewards people on the street for following the city … [+] Covid-19 security protocols.

Visit St. Pete / Clearwater

Tourist demand remains somewhat subdued, but there are signs of life as travelers seek safe ways, often outdoors, to travel again. As vaccines rise, so does the enthusiasm for travel and the opportunities for revitalizing economic development.

Lots of people are looking for one reliable alternative to working from home or working remotely at school; others want to explore the newest hotels and resorts of 2021. To make this easier, some cities are developing their own Covid-19 safety insurance programs. These attract both individual visitors and important business events that cities often rely on economically. It also sets standardized and consistent guidelines that everyone must follow.

Outdoor tables spaced apart at a wedding reception using Hilton’s EventReady program … [+] CleanStay protocols.

Hilton

Have hotels and conference venues considered every aspect of their business with some pretty clever alternatives. These are some of the branded destination specific programs that are having great success in increasing tourism demand.

Houston clean

Venues participating in Houston Clean display the campaign logo.

Visit Houston

One of the pioneers of these efforts is Houston with his Houston clean The program started in August 2020. It was introduced across the city through restaurant, hotel and business partners and was the joint result of city guides and business people to agree on a unified message.

“Houston is a city known for innovation that we saw from our medical experts at Texas Medical Center (TMC),” said Michael Heckman, acting president and CEO of Houston First Corporation.

“In cooperation with the management of TMC, we were one of the first tourism destinations, along with our hospitality partners, to implement an ongoing city-wide program.”

Venues in the Houston area wear the Houston Clean logo to indicate that they are attending in public … [+] Security campaign.

Visit Houston

The program is credited with restoring confidence in the city’s convention business. The Houston First sales team has successfully rebooked 92% of canceled citywide conventions for years to come. According to Heckman, the city is forecasting a record-breaking six-month convention route in the second half of 2021.

Of the 32 events scheduled for mid to late 2021, 31 will have more than 1,000 visitors, which means big business for hotels.

Houston clean was developed by Visit Houston and includes mandatory training on compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for safety and local recommendations to ensure the safety of employees and customers involved.

A LightStrike germ-zapping robot cleans a guest room at the Westin Houston Medical Center.

The Westin Houston Medical Center

The city was also at the forefront of new technology. The Westin Houston Medical Center was one of the first hotels in the country to use robotic assistance for disinfection. It is Robot-disinfected guest rooms in hospital quality, Part of the Texas Medical Center campus, is considered the largest “medical city” of its kind in the world.

A mobile unit with IVP technology in the lobby of the InterContinental Houston Medical Center. Similar … [+] Technology is used in the hotel’s gym as well as through filters throughout the building.

Santiago Mendoza

The InterContinental Houston Medical Center is the first in the nation to use Integrated Viral Protection (IVP) devices, which act like filters to destroy Covid-19 particles, as well as anthrax spores and other airborne pathogens. IVP technology was developed by local Houston-based Monzer Hourani and is also used at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. She is said to have helped reopen many local schools. The city’s convention center is the only one in the country that uses this particular technology.

A Houston resident developed the SafeFun app, which can be used to exchange test results or vaccination status … [+] with others around you.

Michael Anthony

Other locals are also getting involved. Carson Hager, a Houston-based software engineer and hospitality entrepreneur, developed this SafeFun app. It serves as a digital health passport where users can voluntarily share Covid-19 test results and vaccine records with other users as well as public institutions. This helps people feel more secure in common spaces for meetings, social and sporting events, hotels, and other meeting areas.

Houston Clean becomes the basis for the safe reopening of individual companies.

Visit the Music City Good to Go program

Good to Go partners use the program’s branding and guidance in their own facilities, including on … [+] Outdoor restaurant tables or signage.

Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

Not long after the pandemic began, Nashville began work on the pandemic Good to Go program Ask members to join his security protocols. These partners promise to adhere to standards like mask use, social distancing efforts, and hand sanitizing stations. This helps visitors (and locals) feel safe and know where to go to catch up on the latest requirements.

The list includes everything from restaurants like that Roof LA Jackson in Thompson Nashville to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Visitors can use a convenient search function Visit the Music City website to find participating venues. The program is credited with helping the city grow the tourism business at a time when many travelers are unsure of where to go safely.

Spring to safety in St. Pete / Clearwater

“Sunshine Stewards” are handing out gifts and prizes to those following the target’s Covid-19 … [+] Logs.

Visit St. Pete / Clearwater

While everyone should follow protocols out of respect for others, some goals even reward those who do so. The Spring to Safety campaign by Visit St. Pete / Clearwater offers tourists both pre-visit and on-site advantages. Before their trip, the tourism organization asks travelers to sign this Rise to Shine promise this reminds them of the basics like washing their hands regularly for 20 seconds, wearing a mask, social distancing and respect for others.

In return for signing the pledge, visitors can win a “Beach Getaway”. The package includes round-trip flights, four nights of accommodation at a beach resort, and a private, fully-equipped cabana for the day.

The Sunshine Stewards’ rewards support local businesses in the region.

Visit St. Pete / Clearwater

Once in St. Pete or Clearwater, even those seen by the rules of the tourism staff have instant benefits.

Tourism officials, known as the “Sunshine Steward Street Teams,” roam the streets to reward tourists or local residents with masks, practice social distancing, and be respectful of others. The price? Gift cards that support local businesses. And that’s a win-win situation for everyone.

The promise of Palm Beaches

Riviera Beach on Singer Island in Palm Beach County, Florida

Discover the Palm Beaches

The Palm Beach County, Florida tourism authorities have been working to draw up a commitment known as The promise of Palm Beaches that museums, restaurants, hotels, businesses, and other organizations can sign to demonstrate a unified focus on security. Spanning 39 different communities including Delray Beach and Palm Beach, The Palm Beaches is one of the first in the country (and the first in Florida) to work towards achieving Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) accreditation on a target basis. Both will help to lure the group business back to the region.

Santa Barbara is offering a third night for free

Exterior view of the Mar Monte Hotel across from East Beach in Santa Barbara, California. Part of the unbound of … [+] The Hyatt brand, the 200-room lifestyle boutique hotel, was renovated in August 2020, inspired by the historic Vista Mar Monte from the 1930s that once stood on its site.

Mar Monte Hotel and visit Santa Barbara

Covid travel initiatives also come in the form of worthwhile promotions, also. For stays in California through June 30th Santa Barbara, often referred to as the “American Riviera”, offers a third night free of charge for guests thanks to many hotel partners. The Santa Barbara Savvy Program includes a variety of hotels and resorts such as Mar Monte Hotel, Part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. Other resorts have their own offers Belmond El Encanto, with a 25% discount on stays of at least two nights for travel before March 31st.

Tempting offers and ensuring safety at every destination are among the best tools to boost tourism in the coming months.