Iberostar has announced the reopening of properties in selected markets, alongside over 300 health and safety measures in the light of Covid-19.
The group said there will be a scaled reopening of hotels this month in destinations including Spain (the Balearics, Canary Islands and Andalusia), Montenegro, Budapest, Greece, Portugal and Mexico.
Iberostar said that it is working with scientists “to maximise health and safety”, introducing over 300 measures which are being trialled by employees and members of the Fluxa family (owners of the group) at the Iberostar Cristina in Majorca, ahead of its reopening.
The group said that the measures had been introduced with consideration for its ‘Wave of Change’ environmental programme, with CEO Sabina Fluxa stating that “the difficulty lies not in designing safety protocols, but rather in doing so from a holistic, science-based perspective without undoing the progress we’ve made in caring for the environment”.
Examples of this include face masks made from recycled and recyclable materials, and “measures that encourage frequent hand washing to minimise the use of gloves”.
A comprehensive rundown of the measures is detailed below, covering the four key areas of general epidemiological instruction, application of protocols, coaching in new consumption habits and ad hoc training created by the Medical Advisory Board.
They have also been based around the following four pillars:
- Safe environment: with true leadership standards for the protection of our employees, customers, communities and ecosystems
- Hygiene Standards with products that minimize the environmental impact
- Social distancing, making the most of open and outdoor spaces
- Innovative experience at the service of information and communication to facilitate contactless proximity
Commenting on the news Fluxa said:
“The UN has launched a call to consider this recovery as an opportunity to ‘build back better’. As a company, we accept this challenge. Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for responsible tourism that cares for people and the environment, and commits to creating healthy settings.”
Iberostar measures implemented for the reopening of hotels
Safe environment: with true leadership standards for the protection of our employees, customers, communities and ecosystems.
- Strict compliance and permanent update of recommendations from local authorities and WHO.
- External certifications like Earth Check or Cristal International Standards, among others, together with the verification of protocols by SGS (the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company) reinforce the company’s commitment to healthy and safe environments.
- Secure access with sanitary controls for suppliers and employees.
- Permanent centralised medical service including isolation rooms and ambulance on standby.
- Inspection of all goods and products delivered to the hotels, to meet sanitary standards but, even more so, to support local businesses and minimize waste generation. This, in turn, reinforces the unique focus of the Group’s Honest Food philosophy which ensures the traceability of consumption.
- Specialised training for employees, equipped with the new hygiene and protection measures stipulated by the Medical Advisory Board.
Hygiene Standards with products that minimize the environmental impact.
- Guidance from virology experts for the adaptation of protocols, increasing the frequency and depth of disinfection in all spaces and establishing ongoing cleaning processes.
- New cleaning measures and protocols using certified products that ensure sterilization while guaranteeing minimal impact on the water and waste management systems, in line with our circularity agenda.
- Specific protocols for disinfecting rooms, employee access to rooms, and for cleaning of textiles in laundries.
- Excellence and safety in buffets, including a single touch procedure featuring individual presentation of the food choices while using the opportunity to reduce food waste.
Social distancing, making the most of open and outdoor spaces.
- The extensive natural spaces at Iberostar resorts bring nature closer and protect employees and guests. People flow signage is also now in place.
- Hotel occupancy at maximum 70% of total capacity and enlarged distances between hammocks and furniture, all designed to promote safety.
- Reduction of tables in à la carte restaurants, and increased space in buffet restaurants, taking advantage of outdoor areas and creating new exterior dining experiences.
- Eco-2-Go Star Café: encouraging the use of take away options using compostable or reusable packaging to reinforce our circularity policies.
- Room service to enjoy the best of Iberostar food and beverages in a more intimate setting.
- Entertainment experiences with workshops, activities and live outdoors music shows (or indoors with limited capacity), and family activities in smaller groups with advance booking.
Innovative experience at the service of information and communication to facilitate contactless proximity.
- Digital pre-check in and online check out: safer but also quicker and more convenient.
- Reinforcement of the paperless philosophy: the use of paper decreases by extending digital media in restaurants and rooms.
- Touch-less experience using the Iberostar App or 24 hour E-concierge: access to all services with one click to book a table, review a menu or search for leisure activities, among others.
- Doctor Superhero will teach children how to play together and interact in the new scenario.
