Hotel chain Accor New Zealand has announced it is in full support of calls for mandatory vaccination across the accommodation industry, and in particular hotels, for both staff and guests.
"We were surprised to learn that the Government mandate for hospitality did not cover those operators' providing accommodation; just those providing food and beverage. The accommodation industry needs clarity at this time to make the next phase of reopening safe," Accor NZ Senior Vice President of Operations Gillian Millar said.
Accor NZ operates Sofitel, St Moritz, Pullman Rotorua, Novotel and Ibis in New Zealand.
"The health, safety and well-being of our teams and guests remains our top priority, and the sooner people are vaccinated, the sooner we can open up again."
Accor NZ said it supports measures like requiring COVID-19 vaccination certificates for staying at hotels and other accommodation throughout Aotearoa.
"Currently our hotels that have restaurants and bars in them require teams and guests to be vaccinated, showing the COVID-19 certificate brings peace of mind, now we would like to see guidelines from the Government for the accommodation sector," Millar said.
"Our industry has been affected severely, first the closure of international borders, the move to accommodating just domestic tourism and, for many hotels in lockdown, there has been little to no business at all. Further clarity to ensure our Industry is ready, when we can all enjoy a level of freedom, is required."
Millar said vaccination against the coronavirus pandemic is proving to be working across the globe and Accor implores the Government to assist in keeping every New Zealander and visitor safe.
"We all want our teams back at work doing what they all love doing safely, and enhancing New Zealand's reputation locally and abroad."
