The major hotel group IHG has amplified a statement of hope by lighting up many of its empty rooms with signs of love as the world faces prospect of lockdown. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Last night, while the majority of hotels around the world remained empty as the industry suffers the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, IHG put out a sign of ‘love’ and ‘hope’ across many of its properties.
Locals in destinations such as Davos, Amsterdam and Berlin watched as heart symbols were formed from guestroom lights in the windows of empty properties.
The display came after the hotel group, which has more than 5,900 hotels and approximately 884,000 guestrooms in its franchise, updated its cancellation policy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The group has now waived cancellation fees for existing and new bookings at all IHG hotels globally for stays between March 9, 2020 and April 30, 2020.
If you are a hotelier looking for answers, please read our recently published feature on how hotels can stay above the surface in uncertain times like these.
While the industry has temporarily fallen to its knees, as more and more nations announce lockdowns and self-isolation regulations, there is hope that the industry will bounce back eventually. After all, the world will need a holiday once this passes.
Image credit: Instagram/ems_at_cherries
