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Hospitality industry campaigns seek to give essential workers some relief
Luxury hotels and cruises are among those that have organized initiatives to give back.
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Some companies in the hospitality industry have initiated campaigns for essential workers to receive free accommodation. (Shutterstock/Dragon Images)
E
ssential workers have been working tirelessly since COVID-19 started spreading around the world in February. Everyone, from healthcare workers to delivery drivers, have put themselves at risk to take care of others.
Now, there might be a chance for some of those workers to catch a break.
Some companies in the hospitality industry have initiated campaigns for essential workers to receive free accommodation. Luxury hotels and cruises are among those that have organized initiatives to give back.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a community of 550 boutique hotels in more than 90 countries. Like the rest of the hospitality industry, it has suffered due to the pandemic. About 90 percent of SLH’s hotels have closed. The strain of the closures has particularly been felt among the smaller, family-run hotels.
Still, SLH decided to run a campaign to give back to the community of essential workers around the world.
The #SLHforHeroes campaign will give away 1,000 nights in hotels through the SLH network. Essential workers can get a chance to win by being nominated through SLH’s website. Nominations are open until June 30, after which the company will choose 500 winning nominees. The winners will have a year to choose a hotel for their free stay.
Read also: Art of giving back: Indonesian hotels launch charity programs amid pandemic
*1000 Nights for our Heroes* We want to show our gratitude for the frontline heroes who have been working tirelessly to help us through the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominate your Hero to win a 2 night stay at an SLH hotel: https://t.co/vhd0L3Cg9W #SLHFORHEROES pic.twitter.com/mrQHB1e0jh
— Small Luxury Hotels (@SLHLuxuryHotels) May 27, 2020
While many of the participating hotels are giving away two nights as their prize, others have decided to stack on additional free accommodation. Some hotels are giving more than two nights, full meal services, experiences such as guided hikes, yoga sessions and even spending allowances.
Jean-François Ferret, CEO of SLH, said he felt it was the right time to give back to those who had been working so hard during these unprecedented times.
“Let’s focus on the future,” said Ferret. “Let’s focus on something positive.”
Ferret said he had been helping the SLH team go through nominations. The nominations ranged from healthcare workers to postal workers and Ferret said all of them had emotional, touching stories.
The campaign was Henrik Muehle’s idea.
“With a small token, we can give something back,” said Muehle, director of the executive board for SLH.
Muehle also recognized that SLH and much of the hospitality industry in general would have to restructure for the future. “We have to think outside the box, how we can reinvent our business."
SLH isn’t the only one with opportunities for essential workers. Others in the industry have come up with their own initiatives to give back.
Karisma Hotels and Resorts is running a similar campaign and will give away 150 vacations to essential workers. Like the #SLHforHeroes campaign, participants must be nominated. Winners will receive a four-night stay for a family at a Karisma property once travel is deemed safe. Nominations close June 30.
AmaWaterways is also offering a special deal. Essential workers can apply online for a free cruise in Europe or Asia. However, the deal only applies as an addition to one paying customer. Applications are open until June 30.
Wyndham Hotels is giving away free Gold membership status to all essential workers. Those interested are only required to sign-in online and describe their work. Gold membership includes preferred room choice, increased reward points and late checkout, among other perks.
Airbnb is running a specialized program specifically for healthcare workers on the frontlines. Hosts who are offering their properties to healthcare workers are extensively disinfecting and following strict safety guidelines, according to Airbnb. Some hosts are offering their properties at discounted rates or for free. (kes)
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The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post
