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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry.

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Pandemic leaves Richmond hotels reeling

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 12:56 PDT, Thu June 11, 2020

Last Updated: 2:20 PDT, Thu June 11, 2020

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Richmond’s hospitality industry continues to be hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotels play a major role in the local tourism sector, hosting vacation and business travellers. While some hotels have been able to remain open, others have had to close.

The Marriott Vancouver Airport, which closed in early March, is still unable to re-open.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be a long process,” says general manager Yannick Simović. “June was the date that we had in mind, and we are starting to take reservations, but there is not much movement. The demand is almost non-existent.”

He anticipates business travel to be the first to start up once the hotel reopens. And cancellation of the cruise ship season this summer will be another hard hit to the already-struggling industry, he adds.

“Our biggest concern is our employees and our guests,” says Simović.

He says the period of closure is allowing Marriott to work on health and safety protocols to be able to re-open safely. New measures will include plexiglass installation and the removal of half the seating in the restaurant and bar.

“We’re using hospital-grade products to clean. We’re looking at everything, from electrostatic sprayers to UV lights,” says Simović. “We are taking every precaution for people to feel safe coming to stay at our hotel.”

River Rock Casino Resort also closed in March, and remains closed along with other resorts across the country also operated by Great Canadian Gaming.

Reservations are released on a 30 day cycle, but a reopening date has not yet been identified.

“Any potential reopening date will be established and announced once provincial health authorities provide the necessary approvals to do so,” says Terrance Doyle, president of strategic growth and chief compliance officer at Great Canadian Gaming.

But some hotels have been able to open their doors—with extra cleaning procedures and other new protocols.

Canadian-owned Sandman Hotel Group was able to keep its two Richmond hotels open. Sandman has also developed a new cleaning program called Sandman PureClean in partnership with global hygiene company Ecolab.

Updates include touchless check-out, plexiglass barriers at the front desk, and extra disinfection of all high-touch areas in guest rooms. Shared guest facilities like pools, business centres, and fitness rooms will remain closed, and all hotel rooms will be left vacant and sanitized in between guests.

Rooms are being occupied by people in need, says marketing manager Pamela Jacques. These include healthcare workers, truck drivers, and community members who require a quiet place to work remotely.

Sandman is also promoting staycations as an opportunity to travel while remaining close to home.