Hospitality is a highly profitable industry. It generates a huge chunk of revenue for various states in America. For instance, Utah is continuously progressing as an economic engine, and included in its growth is the hospitality sector. Its most densely populated city and capital, Salt Lake City, showcases major leaps in hotel performance.
An article published by the HVS Market Pulse affirms that the commendable business climate and ski visitation in Utah increased hospitality establishments’ revenue over the recent years. Salt Lake City houses plenty of world-class resorts and ski destinations.
Moreover, aside from the skiing hype, it’s also home to the Salt Palace, one of the biggest convention centers in the western region. This is where many citywide conferences and events are held, so attendees need accommodation.
A Threat to a Hotel’s Profitability
Do you also run an inn, hotel, or resort in Salt Lake City or any other city in Utah? Then, you must know that aside from good marketing, excellent services, and high-quality facilities, it’s a must for your premises to be free of any pest infestation.
Pest infestations are very damaging to your company’s reputation, which consequently affect your potential revenue. Also, because hotels deal with lodging and food service, they are susceptible to pest problems like bedbugs (in rooms and suites) and cockroaches, flies, and rodents (in dining and kitchen areas).
If you want to prevent and resolve pest issues, you should follow the guidelines listed below:
1. Comply with Legal Standards
Every business that belongs to the hospitality industry is mandated to comply with legal regulations, such as environmental laws and food safety and health standards. Strictly following rules is indispensable because a lack of compliance does not only put your corporate reputation at risk but can lead to several costly legal consequences.
2. Develop an IPM Policy
An integrated pest management policy is a concept that has been extensively applied in a variety of industries. The first sector that adopted its principle is agriculture as its primary approach to pest control in farming and food storage.
Moreover, the guidelines of IPM policies stress the prevention of pest problems. IPM also entails a limited use of toxic chemicals, because it aims to uphold the safety of the personnel, guests, contractors, and other people within the premises of your hotel.
3. Avail the Services of Accredited Exterminators
Coordinate with a professional provider of pest control and prevention solutions. There are lots of exterminators in Salt Lake City that specializes in large buildings, such as hospitality companies and commercial firms. Do your research or ask a trusted colleague for recommendations.
A reliable pest control service is equipped with the right knowledge and tools to help you improve your IPM program, as well as reduce the need for resorting to expensive and disruptive methods.
4. Uphold Timely Communication with Your Guests
As discussed previously, your hotel’s image can be significantly affected by pest infestations, especially if feedback from an unsatisfied guest reaches the public. Remember, social media and other digital platforms are powerful tools that can either make or break your business.
If you want to avoid bad reviews and minimize risks of business loss, it’s crucial to strategically and efficiently tend to complaints made by customers. Devise a plan for incident response and turn to this for immediate solution whenever pest issues arise. Also, your personnel needs to remain polite and to accommodate when resolving pest problems for guests.
All business organizations in every industry face an assortment of risks and threats, both internal and external. Moreover, for enterprises in the hospitality sector, it’s crucial to maintain a good reputation and image by promoting a high standard of sanitation, hygiene, and safety in your hotel.
