Daily Archives: 29/07/2020

National Protocol for hotels | COVID-19

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Since the declaration of a pandemic, hotels in Argentina have been closed by order of the national Ministry of Tourism, with the exception of those that will host repatriated residents in quarantine or foreigners awaiting their repatriation. Meanwhile, the restaurants, bars and confectioneries also remained inoperative in Phase 1 of the emergency, but then they were exclusively enabled to provide take away services.

To date, with the exception of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) and Gran Córdoba, Chaco and Bariloche, practically the entire country is already in Phase 4. In fact, a few provinces have already enabled intra-provincial tourism and opened establishments. gastronomic with strict restrictions.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Argentina launched the national protocols for hotels and gastronomic establishments
But it was clear that a unified and standardized criterion by the health authorities would be needed at the national level, since neither a tourist, nor an operator, nor a transporter, nor a hotel chain can comply with 24 different protocols.

In this framework, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports released its health recommendations and guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19 this Wednesday, June 10, within the framework of a forthcoming reopening of tourist activity that, as anticipated by the Holder of that portfolio, Matías Lammens, could take shape during the winter holidays, that is, in July.

As reported by the ministry, this Argentine protocol was prepared in conjunction with the Institute for Tourism Quality (ICTA), the Argentine Chamber of Tourism (CAT), the Association of Tourism Hotels (AHT), the Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Confectioneries and Cafés (Ahrcc), the Gastronomic Hotel Business Federation of the Argentine Republic (Fehgra) and the provinces, through the Federal Tourism Council (CFT).

These are two manuals that comply with the recommendations established by the Ministry of Health, and their main objective is precisely “to protect the health and well-being of workers and tourists”.

The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Matías Lammens, coordinated the protocols with the private sector

“They are concrete tools, health recommendations and care guidelines that aim to strengthen the value chain and contribute to preserving jobs in the sector, in line with new global demands,” explained Lammens.

At a general level, the two procedural guides propose, for example, the implementation of control measures for personnel, prior to entering work, for the detection of symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and the appointment of those responsible for this task.

As explained to HOSTELTUR sources from the ministry, both manuals, which are the first in a series that will cover the entire spectrum of the activity, are recommendations that have already been signed by the 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires (as indicated, participated in its preparation). Therefore, the supervision of its implementation and compliance will be the responsibility of each jurisdiction, according to local regulations and the evolution of the pandemic.

Key points

Occasionally, in the case of tourist accommodation, all employees who have contact with guests must wear face masks, provided that this is stipulated in their jurisdiction. Likewise, except for specific tasks, the use of gloves is not recommended, since viral particles tend to remain on latex / nitrile for longer.

It is also suggested to digitize the check in and check out process and, in a first stage, avoid the services of bell boy and valet parking. Meanwhile, it is proposed to install a mailbox to deposit the keys and that they be disinfected

In all cases, capacity is key, both for employees and guests. That is why it is recommended to install glass panels as barriers and always indicate the maximum capacity of people in the areas of common use. Similarly, alcohol gel should be offered and the individual use of elevators maintained; and with regard to circulation, it is recommended that it be in one direction only, with indicative signs. In addition, it is advisable not to allow access to swimming pools and gyms, unless the local health authority indicates otherwise.

After checking out, the rooms must be free long enough to ensure proper ventilation, deep cleaning and disinfection.

In reference to food and beverages, they recommend avoiding their manipulation by guests and implementing breakfast service in the room; or serve it under the take away modality; have coffee makers in the rooms; extend breakfast hours; or offer prior reservation to plan the number of diners.

Restaurant menus should be digital or laminated, to facilitate disinfection, while drinks will be delivered closed, in the bottle or can, while it is recommended to cancel the minibar service.

In this sense, the manual for gastronomic establishments recommends working with advance reservations to plan the number of diners from the previous day, displaying the menu on posters placed outside and inside the premises, avoiding self-service food (buffet); and offer a la carte dishes in individual portions. The personnel of those who operate under the take away modality must work in uniform and wash their hands before and after each delivery or order.

Finally, for these venues it is recommended to close the playgrounds for boys to organize the kitchen staff in shifts; and disinfect tableware, cutlery and glassware in the dishwasher, including unused one in one shift.

How to find the prefect hotel for you | 4 tips

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1. Be clear about what you want

Before starting your search we recommend that you be very clear about your north regarding what you want or expect the hotel to offer you. It is different if you go alone, as a couple or with children, in each case the objective of the hotel may change.
If you go alone and on a low budget, it is very likely that you do not mind staying in a low-cost hotel or hostel, if you go as a couple suddenly you want a little more privacy and you will want a hotel with some characteristics, but if you go with Children, the first thing you think about is that the beds are really clean and located in a safe place. That is why you must consider all the variables: company, budget, location and very important to know what use you will give the hotel.

2. What is your budget

Be realistic when allocating the budget. It is true that we all want a 5-star hotel for the price of one of 2, but the reality is that each star means more quality, more amenities and more price. Being realistic puts your feet on the ground regarding the hotel that you can achieve with the budget you plan to invest in it. Based on that, you can do a sensible search and the results will be adjusted to your needs. Remember to be very clear about how you will use the hotel, how long you are going to stay in it, if it is only for sleeping or what kind of amenities you need. This will help you debug among the thousands of options.

3. Where it is located

As important as the previous point of the budget is the location of the hotel. If you are organized you will know which area is best for you so that it becomes your starting point every morning. Locate on a map the attractions you are going to visit or the places of your interest, with this you will realize which area you are going to frequent the most, based on this you can choose the best location of the hotel. Although the most popular areas tend to have the best hotels, it is also true that you can find very good hotels at comfortable prices. Something else to consider is that if you go to a more remote area to get a better price, this can play against you when it comes to transporting you, since long distances will make you lose valuable time on your vacation and the cost of moving from One side to the other will also affect your pocket. So you have to weigh all the factors and make the wisest decision. Cheer up!

4. Check the comments

This step is very helpful, although we know that for all people the experience lived in a hotel can result in different points of view, but somehow you can get a general idea of ​​what you can expect in that hotel, of its service, facilities, cleaning, among other things to evaluate. Do not take any of the comments as absolute, but keep in mind if, for example, several of the comments talk about the poor condition of the bathrooms, if so, you will know what to expect in that regard. Some people are very scrupulous and for a very small thing they can completely damage the reputation of a hotel, that is why we advise you to take the time to do a good survey and thereby rule out the subjectivity of some comments. Something that we ask you in addition to reading and drawing your own conclusions is that you try to capture your experience in the spaces intended for it, as well as the comments of others can determine your decision, yours can be very good for someone who is in the same process that you already lived in your search.