NH Hotel Group has launched a plan to gradually reopen its hotels around the world in line with the easing of global restrictions, with a view to increasing activity as demand grows.
The company plans to reopen 55% of its portfolio during June – around 200 of the 361 it operates worldwide. To date, only 12 properties have remained in operation in southern Europe, most of which were reserved for essential groups during the lockdown period. In northern Europe, just over 40 properties have opened to date due to faster easing of restrictions. In Latin America, the last region to be affected by the pandemic, operations continue to be suspended and it is expected that this region will be the last to recover its activity.
Ramón Arangonés, CEO of NH Hotel Group said, “Preserving the safety of travellers is our top priority during the reopening process and for that we have developed a comprehensive plan of measures. We have unertaken numerous changes in our operations so that the main thing does not change – our vocation to serve and make customers live experiences that exceed their expectations in safe environments.”
Under the Feel Safe at NH concept, the company has completely redesigned the customer experience to ensure that safety and social distancing requirements are met in all its hotels. Collaborating with SGS, a world-leader in inspection, analysis and certification, NH Hotel Group has developed a project that redefines and enhances the health protocols applicable in the operation of its hotels that will also allow monitoring to verify that they are clean and safe environments.
The company has reviewed all its procedures and made nearly 700 adaptations to its operating standards, which will be progressively implemented in its 361 hotels worldwide. Grouped under 10 main lines of action and endorsed by specialists in different fields, the measures implemented cover the digitisation of hotel services, the adaption of sanitation processes, the incorporation of social distancing standards, the use of personal protection elements and the control of air and purification, among others.
By the end of June, NH Hotel Group plans to reopen 57% of its hotels in southern Europe, including 60 in Spain, 27 in Italy, nine in Portugal and four in France. 83 of 127 hotels are expected to reopen in northern Europe, and in Latin America a limited number of properties are set to open in Bogota and Buenos Aires, with plans to begin reopening more hotels in July.
Visitors and operators can take virtual tours of nhow London in Shoreditch – NH Hotel Group’s first UK property.
