The Rathbone Hotel, nestled in the heart of London’s vibrant Fitzrovia district, has a rich history of welcoming guests with warmth and hospitality since 1975. But the global COVID-19 pandemic threw the hospitality industry into turmoil, forcing businesses to adapt and reassure weary travelers.
Navigating the Pandemic: A Focus on Safety
As the world grappled with the COVID-19 crisis, the hospitality industry faced an unprecedented challenge. Hotels and restaurants, once bustling with activity, found themselves in a fight for survival. Rebuilding traveler confidence became paramount, and hotels had to demonstrate a commitment to safety and hygiene to attract guests back.
The Rathbone Hotel: A Commitment to Guest Well-being
Daniel Harris, Director of the Rathbone Hotel, understood the critical importance of reassurances. The hotel, which traditionally relies heavily on corporate travel during the week, needed to find a way to showcase its dedication to guest safety.
“The Rathbone Hotel has always placed a high value on health and safety,” Daniel explains, “but the pandemic heightened these concerns and raised guest expectations.” Daniel recognized the limitations of self-certification programs, which could not provide the independent validation that travelers demanded. “There were a lot of self-certification models out there,” he says, “but they were inadequate. We wanted something more rigorous.”
Seeking Independent Assurance: The GSA Certification
Travelers, accustomed to assuming their safety, were now confronted with a flood of unsettling news about the pandemic. The Global Safety Alliance (GSA) stepped in to address this growing concern. Their COVID-19 Certificate of International Good Practice was designed to provide independent assurance to travelers that a hotel was meeting internationally recognized standards for safety and hygiene.
The GSA meticulously assesses hotels, reviewing their policies, procedures, and operational practices. They go beyond a mere checklist, ensuring that hotels have implemented practical and effective measures to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. This rigorous process culminates in a comprehensive review by SFJ Awards, an international accreditation organization, ensuring the highest standards are met.
The Rathbone Hotel: A Path to Certification
The Rathbone Hotel embraced the GSA assessment with enthusiasm. Daniel and his team conducted a comprehensive review of their safety protocols, demonstrating their commitment to the process. “The GSA assessment was truly professional and thorough,” Daniel comments, “the process was easy to follow, practical, and used common sense. The team was extremely helpful.” He emphasizes that it was not a simple box-ticking exercise, “They carefully reviewed everything, providing valuable feedback and assistance.”
A Distinction in Safety: The Benefits of Certification
In September 2020, the Rathbone Hotel earned the coveted GSA COVID-19 Certificate of International Good Practice. This independent certification provided the hotel with concrete evidence of its commitment to safety and gave them valuable marketing materials to highlight their achievement.
Daniel sees this certification as a key differentiator, setting them apart from competitors. “The independent process and certificate from SFJ Awards were very important to us,” he explains. “It demonstrates that two parties are involved in the review, providing a higher level of confidence. With other certification programs, the hotel assesses itself, which isn’t as reassuring.”
A Clear Advantage: Rebuilding Confidence and Securing Bookings
Daniel is confident that the GSA certification will be a valuable asset in attracting corporate clients. “It gives travel management companies and corporate offices the confidence they need,” he says, “It provides evidence that we take guest safety seriously and have a strong commitment to meeting the highest standards.” This reassurance, he believes, will be particularly beneficial in the RFP (Request for Proposal) process, allowing the Rathbone Hotel to stand out from the competition and secure more bookings.
The Rathbone Hotel, through its commitment to independent safety certification, has emerged as a leader in the hospitality industry. By embracing rigorous standards and demonstrating their dedication to guest well-being, they have positioned themselves to navigate the challenges of the pandemic and rebuild traveler confidence. Their commitment to independent validation, a clear departure from self-certification programs, sets them apart and showcases their dedication to guest safety. The Rathbone Hotel is not just a haven for travelers, but a beacon of reassurance in a world that needs it more than ever.
