October 27, 2020 —

• 30,000+ directly contracted hotels globally invited to participate
• Programme based on WHO recommendations and covers minimum standards for hotel cleaning, hygiene, social distancing, and guest communication
• WebBeds partnering with Cristal Standards to administer the programme

WebBeds, the world’s fastest growing B2B bedbank, has announced a new partnership with existing Health and Safety partner, Intertek Cristal Standards. All 30,000+ directly contracted hotel partners have been invited to participate in a programme providing guidance and assessment criteria to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Intertek Cristal is one of the global leaders in Hygiene, Safety and Security management assurance within the travel & hospitality industries.

WebBeds has defined a list of minimum standards based on WHO recommendations and input from Intertek Cristal. Achieving the criteria will enable hotels to demonstrate to guests and the wider travel market that suitable controls have been implemented to prevent the spread of infection.

Areas covered in the programme include; cleaning protocols, infection control, hand and respiratory hygiene arrangements, social distancing measures, changes to public areas (enhanced cleaning / social distancing), and monitoring, communication, certification.

Hotels will also be offered the opportunity to work with Intertek Cristal Standards to become independently certified with the ‘POSI-Check’ (prevention of spread of infection) standard which provides staff training, implementation of POSI protocols in the hotel and ongoing auditing of standards and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) testing of key surfaces, as well as RoomCheck audits to monitor the effective cleaning standards involved in housekeeping.

Nigel Horne, CEO Europe, WebBeds commented “We understand the concerns of our travel trade partners in needing reassurance that the hotels they choose for their travellers are of an excellent standard of cleanliness and preparedness in protecting against, or dealing with, COVID-19. At the same time, providing our hotel partners with clear, consistent standards to achieve provides them with confidence that they are investing in the right actions to ensure guests experience a safe and enjoyable stay. We are very pleased to be working with an independent, industry-leading partner such as Intertek Cristal Standards to assist us in delivering and adapting our programme as necessary.”

Ends.

About WebBeds

Launched in 2013, WebBeds is the world’s fastest growing bedbank. A B2B business, WebBeds supplies accommodation and services to the travel industry, providing global coverage through three regions – Europe, Asia Pacific and AMEA (America, Middle East and Africa) with over 1,600 travel professionals working in 50 offices worldwide. WebBeds operates a range of industry leading booking platforms as well as specialist trade brands JacTravel DMC & Umrah Holidays International.

WebBeds provides a global distribution network of travel trade partners with the choice of more than 368,000 hotels around the world, comprising 30,000+ direct contracts, 70+ integrated third-party providers and 60+ major hotel chain groups. WebBeds sells to over 190 destination countries through clients in more than 130 source markets worldwide.

Customers can access this huge choice of inventory, (ranging from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels and including international chain hotels, city-centre and resort properties) via market-leading, trade-only websites or simple and seamless platform to platform API connectivity. Clients can also book over 5,500 transfer services in 1,200 destinations along with thousands of guided excursions and tickets for attractions. WebBeds also provides tailormade travel arrangements for groups of all sizes covering corporate and leisure, special interest, education and MICE via its dedicated and award-winning DMC division.

Find out more about the WebBeds business at www.webbeds.com.

WebBeds is a subsidiary of Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB).

About Intertek Cristal Standards

Intertek Cristal Standards is one of the global market leading health, safety, quality and security risk management providers for the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. With a global network of experts, offering a suite of risk mitigation solutions designed for all hospitality industries including restaurants, hotels, catering, fast food chains, retail and luxury stores. Intertek Cristal’s audit modules such as POSI-Check, Room Check, Brand Check, and more supports the hospitality industry in providing assurance to their guests around the world.