Historically, hotel owners and operators have viewed cleaning as a cost center. Consequently, decisions about housekeeping expenditures have focused solely on the amount spent. Yet, several recent studies have revealed that a relatively modest investment can have a significant effect on a hotel’s bottom line. Here are a few ways spending more on your property’s cleaning program can pay off.
1. Image Enhancement
A recent study by Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands found that almost 70 percent of hotel guests rank cleanliness and hygiene as the most important factor when making recommendations to friends and colleagues. While many managers perceive cleaning as an operational cost, a dirty facility with a poor image will cost businesses direct revenue. In addition, dirty buildings can create risks such as slips and falls, leading to higher insurance and legal costs. With the growing number of social media channels and customer review sites, it’s more important now than ever before to make a strong first impression with guests, as word-of-mouth advertising is among the most influential trends in generating new and return business.
2. Asset Preservation
Buildings are financial assets, and it’s critical to preserve their value and reduce added maintenance or refurbishment costs. While reduced cleaning may meet short-term operational budgets, it can actually result in a lower return on investment (ROI) as life cycles are shortened and more expensive replacements are needed to maintain building image, facility functionality, and customer satisfaction levels. On the contrary, efficient and effective cleaning programs extend asset life cycles, increasing long-term ROI.
3. Work Ticket Resolution
Comprehensive cleaning programs require hundreds of individual tasks to be completed. Errors can quickly mount up, especially when the scope of a cleaning program is reduced. When you consider the additional labor required to issue work tickets that address these errors and the management time used to assuage guest concerns, the actual cost of these mistakes can average $13-$49 per ticket. It’s often better to spend enough on cleaning to ensure the job is done right the first time.
From ISSA, the global trade associate for the cleaning industry.
