Between COVID-19, global warming, wildfires, and overall poor air quality, concerns about air quality have grown in recent years. Many highly populated areas have instituted new rules and regulations, and on a social scale, people are pushing the hospitality industry to take a more active role in keeping our air clean to keep travelers safe. Doing so is a win-win. Improving air quality is great for guests and staff and for the environment - but it’s good for business as well.
The Change in Hotel Expectations
The latest research shows that COVID-19 is an airborne illness. While originally little was known about how exactly the virus spread, now medical experts agree that it’s important to clean the air. That’s why hotels seeking to remain relevant and competitive are installing air purifiers. Similar to airlines, smart hotels know that installing high-efficiency, top-quality air purifiers will keep residents safe and show them that they care.
This is why you will notice more and more hotel chains creating specific wellness areas or floors promising different types of air purification systems. You can expect this trend to continue as people become more aware of pollution and more cautious in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. People are gaining a more thorough knowledge of the ways that air quality impacts their health and wellness along with climate issues. Savvy hospitality professionals know that guests will be looking at air quality when they make hotel choices. In fact, in many areas, it will be mandated that hotels as well as other industries up the ante on air quality - and if not mandated, at least highly encouraged. Even cruise lines are already adopting this measure, including Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises.
The Case for Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are a smart play across the board. Clean air leads to better health and a higher level of well-being. That means travelers will feel more energized and happy during their stay. Clean air also leads to better sleep, odor control, and a variety of other benefits that will make your hotel more appealing to guests - leading to loyal customers.
Furthermore, travelers will appreciate your efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Every day more research emerges showing that cleansing the air is an important tactic in limiting COVID-19 particles. In fact, according to the EPA, “When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a confined space.” Speaking plainly, air purifiers can remove viruses from the air. In fact, Medify has put our air purifiers through extensive third-party testing just to be able to offer this peace of mind.
MA-40 and MA-50 purifiers were tested by ARE Labs and removed 99.99% of the particles related to COVID-19 in less than 30 minutes at their highest setting.
The MA-112 purifier was tested by CUBRC Lab and removed 99.95% of the particles related to COVID-19 in 5 minutes at the highest setting with the ionizer on.
That doesn’t mean all air purifiers are created equal. For example, each of our systems use True HEPA H13 filters. Some units also come with an even higher grade, True HEPA H14. True HEPA H13 removes 99.9% of particles down to 0.1 microns in size, while H14 removes 99.99%. The coronavirus particle is 0.125 microns in size.
If you’re in the hotel industry, consider the ways that air purifiers can positively impact your business (and the health of residents). If you’re planning a hotel stay, take the time to research and find one with high-quality air purifiers in communal areas or better yet - in every room.