Aitken Spence Hotels launch ‘SpenceSafe’ safety guidelines for guests

Heritance Aarah 

Heritance Kandalama 

Heritance Negombo 

Premier hospitality company, Aitken Spence Hotels recently launched ‘SpenceSafe’, a complete guide to health and safety in support of the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The blueprint, accessible on their website (aitkenspencehotels.com/spencesafe) and shared with their key travel and trade partners, aims to reassure guests and restore their confidence by sharing their comprehensive and cohesive health and safety procedures over all functions. 

The Group has 22 hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, Maldives, India and Oman under its brands Heritance Hotels and Resorts, Adaaran Resorts, and Turyaa as well as its managed properties. Collectively, the Aitken Spence Hotels have taken a holistic and precautionary approach benchmarked to global best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The Company is gradually opening their doors to welcome guests, with Earl’s Regent being the first to open at the beginning of June 2020, followed by Bandarawela Hotel, Amethyst Resort Passikudah Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Negombo, Earl’s Regency and Turyaa Kalutara in July. Heritance Ahungalla and Tea Factory are scheduled to open in October and November respectively.

‘SpenceSafe’ explains precautionary measures implemented as well as the expectation of guests’ responsibility. 

For the benefit of guests, the document explains procedures to be followed from the point of making a reservation, arriving at the hotel, check-in, accommodation, dining, use of meeting and conference venues and public spaces and recreation. Developed under the second phase of the Company’s Risk Mitigation Strategy, the document provides guidance to all guests, staff and supplier touchpoints to assure safe and carefree travel for all stakeholders when the hotels and resorts reopen in the next few weeks.

“The wellbeing of our guests has always been of paramount importance to us,” said Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements Stasshani Jayawardena. “We believe our legacy in hospitality is based on providing a superior experience to our guests by going the extra mile. Throughout our hotels, we serve with warmth and care, inherent qualities of being a local brand taking our well-known hospitality to the world. While we open our doors after a hiatus, we are keen to reacquaint our guests with our customary hospitality, only made better with the enhanced safety protocols.” 

Adding to the sentiments, Aitken Spence Hotels Managing Director Susith Jayawickrama asserted, “Collectively, our hotels have taken stringent precautions to ensure the safety and health of all stakeholders, and to reassure peace of mind for our guests who have been anticipating a holiday at our resorts.” The practices outlined are based on local and international health & safety standards and have been strengthened by in-house expertise. 

“We believe in creating a safe environment for our guests; promoting hassle-free travel to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy a much-needed break which is worth the wait,” he said.

The safety precautions will be constantly monitored by the Company’s Risk Response Team and will evolve with the changing global and national needs.

Furthermore, the Group used the lockdown period to educate their staff on emergency response, recognising symptoms and to familiarise them on other emerging protocols for post-lockdown operations following the SpenceSafe initiatives. The staff have also been educated on the heightened hygiene standards and safety guidelines to be followed both at work and at home as well, reiterating the Group’s commitment towards mitigating any contagion.

“Our Company has always followed international guidelines for health and safety, environmental protection and quality. For example, we maintain HACCP/ ISO 22000: 2005 certified food safety management systems. These industry benchmarks have paved the way for not only operational efficiencies and high-quality standards but for responsible tourism practices maintained across all our operations,” Jayawickrama assured. Aitken Spence Hotels look forward to welcoming all guests with hospitality from the heart at a safe haven while you are away from home.