Airbnb Introduces Enhanced Clean in Thailand Endorsed by Healthcare Experts
- Airbnb’s Enhanced Clean programme offers the first overarching standardized protocol for cleaning and sanitization in the short term rental industry
- The programme, endorsed by leading Thai healthcare expert Professor Dr. Vip Viprakasit, has been developed with guidance from the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health, and follows guidelines from the World Health Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council
- This effort builds on Airbnb’s strong track record of cleanliness: To date, 94% of all Airbnb reviews show that guests are satisfied with cleaning, scoring it at 4 or 5 stars after their stays
In line with supporting the safe reopening of communities and travel, Airbnb has today announced the launch of its Enhanced Clean programme in Thailand, offering the first overarching standardized protocol for cleaning and sanitization in the home sharing industry.
Ahead of the programme’s rollout in the country, Airbnb has sought guidance from the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health, which has provided recommendations aligned with Thailand’s standards when it comes to sanitization materials and cleaning methods.
Following guidelines from the World Health Organization, the Enhanced Clean programme was developed in consultation with leading experts in the hospitality and medical hygiene sector, including Professor. Dr. Vip Viprakasit, Professor of Pediatrics and Hematology at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Airbnb also collaborated with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), to support guidelines for the short term rental industry, and the Airbnb standards have earned the WTTC Safe Travels seal.
An Industry-Leading Approach to Ensuring Cleanliness
Airbnb Enhanced Clean, which will be progressively rolled out in Thailand in the coming weeks, provides local hosts in Thailand with step-by-step guidance on how to clean and sanitise their homes to the highest standards and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
These industry-first guidelines include a step-by-step cleaning handbook designed for everyday hosts. Hosts who attest to follow the program will receive a special badge on their listing, making it easy for guests to identify and book listings that follow the short-term rental industry’s most robust set of cleaning standards. In addition to cleaning guidelines, hosts should ensure they comply with guidance from governments or health authorities in their local jurisdictions.
This effort builds off of Airbnb’s strong track record of cleanliness: To date, more than 94% of all reviews were satisfied with cleanliness, scoring it at 4 or 5 stars after their stays1. By following this cleaning protocol, hosts are taking significant steps toward protecting themselves, their guests and the communities in which they live.
“As we restart travel in a post-COVID world, health, cleanliness and safety will continue to be top of mind for everyone,” said Professor Dr. Vip Viprakasit, Professor of Pediatrics and Hematology at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. “As a doctor, I’m delighted to see that Airbnb’s Enhanced Clean programme supports hosts with guidance on how to clean their homes and provides guests with peace of mind knowing that the Airbnb they have chosen will meet industry-leading standards.”
Enhanced Cleaning Standards Unlock the Future of Travel
Following the COVID-19 crisis, high standards of health and hygiene will be critical to reassuring travellers that they can travel safely and in rebuilding Thailand’s tourism industry. A more consistent industry approach would help speed tourism’s recovery and avoid burdening small tourism operators with inappropriate standards designed for large, commercial businesses.
“Airbnb hosts in Thailand pride themselves on offering a great guest experience and cleanliness is a key part of that. This new protocol will empower hosts and guests with the information they need to keep themselves safe and restore traveller confidence. We believe these standards set the bar for short-term rental accommodation and could form the foundation for a new industry-wide standard in Thailand,” said Mich Goh, Head of Public Policy (Southeast Asia), Airbnb.
With the launch of the first overarching standardized protocol for cleaning and sanitization in the home sharing industry, Airbnb wishes to play an important role in re-energising Thailand’s tourism industry, as it partners with government and local communities to ensure its sustainable growth in a post COVID-19 world. To learn more about the Airbnb Enhanced Clean programme, visit airbnb.com/cleaningresources.
About Safe Travels – World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
The specially designed stamp allows travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. To learn more, visit https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp.
1Internal Airbnb data referring to guest reviews on a stay’s cleanliness as of 31 March 2020.