The Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) has partnered Hotel Resilient, a certification body on disaster risk management, to launch the COVID-READY Certification scheme, designed to assess the Covid-19 preparedness of the island’s hotels and to guide them to safely reopen.
In the wake of the pandemic, Trevor Girard, director of standards and accreditation at Hotel Resilient, and his team of risk specialists, have evaluated the scientific evidence, international guidelines and industry best practices to set new standards that cover all aspects of a hotel’s Covid-19 prevention and response strategy.
Anthony Lark, president, PHA, said: “Member hotels can obtain this internationally recognised certification, which will showcase Phuket as a safe destination and provide reassurance that hotels are working together to ensure the protection of their guests, staff and the community. Health and safety has never been more important than now, as we prepare to reopen our doors.”
The Hotel Resilient COVID-READY Certification scheme is aligned with the the body’s global standards on disaster risk management. Besides hygiene and safety, it addresses systemic and procedural changes to minimise risk as well as various crisis management aspects, such as response planning, business continuity, and crisis communication relating to Covid-19.
These new standards are supported by a user-friendly audit and task management software that allows hotels to prioritise areas where action is needed to enhance their level of Covid-19 preparedness.
In addition, interactive e-learning courses are available on the platform, bringing hotel staff up to speed on the current Covid-19 situation, and guiding them on how to prevent transmission or respond to an infection.
Hotel Resilient CEO Bijan Khazai said: “The COVID-READY Certification scheme will make Phuket one of the first tourism destinations in the world to take a proactive approach to safety and hygiene preparedness, based on world-class standards. Once all 70 plus PHA’s member properties are audited and certified, it will provide a safer environment for visitors, hotel staff and the Phuket community.”
