How will hospitality service change in Italy after Covid-19?

Italy is back now, hotels in Italy are ready to host you again.

Italy has begun easing its coronavirus lockdown, and after nearly three months of movement restrictions, we are now tasting our days of freedom. Even though our lifestyle has changed (it is full of rules and regulations), the Coronavirus pandemic taught us to appreciate our freedom. So now, we are enjoying every moment of our lives. With proper precautions, obviously.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Italy had a big loss between March and May and the effects of Covid 19 on Italy’s tourism industry has been a tragedy.

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As you already know, from north to south, Italy has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for decades. But in February 2020, it slowly started to lose its tourists until reaching a full stop. The nationwide lockdown on March 10th allowed the government and the people to figure out survival strategies to cohabitate with Coronavirus in such a way to restart all together.

As of June 3, Italy is opening its borders to European residents. And, I also heard on the radio this morning that by June 15th, the Italian government will lift quarantine restrictions even more and reopen its borders to the entire world! I really hope that it is not an overly bold choice.

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Getting the tourists back is important to the country since tourism is one of the largest industries in Italy. Several strategies have been put in place in order to protect the travellers and the citizens

That being said, let’s see point by point how the hotels in Italy are coping with the Coronavirus pandemic tourism. First of all I have to say that the “customer is always right” policy is a bit lacking during this stage. Tourists are now asked to strictly follow some rules and regulations. We must keep our guard high and implement all the behaviour advised by the experts to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

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· HOUSEKEEPING. Cleanings are even deeper now. Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected with alcohol or chlorine-based disinfectants. Some hotels are using ozone purifying units so that they can remove unwanted dust and bacteria from the air.

· ROOM SERVICE. Promoting in-room-services is important for avoiding gatherings in the lobbies or restaurant areas. So room breakfast is more than welcome now.

· TRANSFER. In order to reduce contacts, hoteliers in Italy are working on improving customers’ transfers at lower cost. It is to make them safer. If they don’t need to use public transport they come into contact with fewer people.

· FAST CHECK-IN. Hotels in Italy are asking to anticipate needed documents via email before check-in so that customers can shorten their time at reception.

· SAFE DISTANCE. Keeping the one meter distance is mandatory inside the hotel premises. Maintaining a safe distance in any social contact should no longer be a rule but common sense.

· SAFETY EQUIPMENT. Hoteliers are providing safety equipment like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers. Sometimes they come for a small cost

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· TABLE DISTANCE. Hospitality guidelines in Italy have changed after the coronavirus pandemic; the minimum needed space between tables should be at least one meter. Police officers are going around and around to check and enforce distancing rules and the rule breakers are punished heavily. Sometimes they are even forced to close the activity.

· STAFF. Workers, mostly housekeepers, look like astronauts now. They are covered from head to toe. It won’t be that easy during the summer season. All the hotel employees are educated on up-to-date information on coronavirus as this situation is evolving daily.

· MASK. Wearing a mask inside the common areas of the hotel is compulsory.

· BODY TEMPERATURE. Some hotels are measuring their clients’ temperature upon check-in. Since having a fever doesn’t mean being Covid 19 positive, it is not imposed by law. But in case you have a fever, you are asked to stay inside your room and to notify reception immediately.

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· BEACH, POOL, AND SPA. Right at the moment, clients have no access to pool and spa areas but the studies for the reopening are in progress. Meanwhile, beach front hotels can use the beach area keeping the right safety distance. There are security guards keeping it under control.

· PLEXIGLASS SCREENS. Receptions have a Plexiglas screen in order to give more protection.

· GEL SANITIZER. You can find gel dispenser by the more frequently used areas and touch points such as lift.

· BUFFET. To date, breakfast is served by employees. Self-serve options are momentarily being stopped.

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Yes, everything has changed!!! Sometimes it feels like too much but protecting us from COVID-19 is one of the top priorities now. Italy is trying to give the best solution in order to get back its tourists. But remember that as COVID-19 continues to spread, everyone must do their bit. Follow the rules and let’s together take the tourism industry back to life.