You wake up in a plush bed and draw back the blackout curtains to reveal a glittering ocean. Inspired, you stroll down to the lobby cafe. You order an iced latte to go. Caffeine in hand and toes in the sand, you meander down the beach and watch the first sunbathers of the day set up their chairs. It’s day one of your trip. The only plans on your agenda are a snorkeling excursion, massage, and candle-lit dinner on the beach. You think: vacation life sure is sweet.If that sounds like paradise right now, you’re not alone. With widespread stay-at-home orders and mandatory work remote policies, the promise of a getaway has never been so appealing. Yet COVID-19 puts a damper on that daydream, not just for travelers like you but also for hotels and resorts around the world. Thankfully, the average traveler can try recreating some of these desired travel experiences—while also helping hospitality workers—all without boarding a plane.We’ve rounded up three ways you can support hotels and vacation plan from the comfort of your couch.
#1 Donate To An Employee Relief Fund. Campaign: Bunkhouse Employee Relief Fund
Bunkhouse is a women-owned and -operated hospitality group known for their cooler-than-cool boutique hotels like Austin’s Hotel San Jose. Deeply rooted in the community, Bunkhouse employees knew the temporary closures of most of their properties would have widespread effects. To support their staff and the locales in which they operate during this time, these out-of-the-box thinkers started the Bunkhouse Employee Relief fund to provide their fans with multiple ways to support the hotels they love.From a limited-edition poster to special retail collections inspired by each of their hotels, 100% of the proceeds go directly to their staff. This initiative is a great example of how travelers can “keep their spirits high” and show their support for hospitality workers. As Bunkhouse shared in a recent email, they are “...looking toward the future, envisioning brighter times, and dreaming of bringing the gang back together.” Spirits lifted, indeed!
#2 Purchase A Gift Card To Redeem Later. Campaign: We Travel Forward
“Let's support the hotels today that will be the future of our adventurous spirit.” That’s the key message behind the “We Travel Forward” campaign started by hospitality experts Amy Ogden and Wade Breitzke. The online platform serves as an easy-to-navigate directory of hotels that are offering gift cards and experiences that travelers can purchase now and redeem later, and all hotels are encouraged to sign up to be part of the program.This campaign ties in perfectly with the #TravelTomorrow, #GoLater hashtags that hotels have widely adopted on social media and gives travelers a convenient way to directly provide the support hotels so dearly need.
#3 Shop Your Favorite Hotel
If you’re looking for a more immediate way to feel connected to a hotel, check to see if they have an online store like Noble House’s home & gift collection. Featuring a “thoughtfully curated collection of bedding, bath and spa essentials” inspired by Noble House’s experience-rich resorts, shoppers can literally bring their favorite hotel home with them. Sip your morning tea wrapped in a plush robe or drift off to a tropical state of mind with their coconut mango room fragrance diffuser -- whatever you choose, your purchases will support hotel workers and turn your home into an oasis of calm. Win/win!
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You wake up in a plush bed and draw back the blackout curtains to reveal a glittering ocean. Inspired, you stroll down to the lobby cafe. You order an iced latte to go. Caffeine in hand and toes in the sand, you meander down the beach and watch the first sunbathers of the day set up their chairs. It’s day one of your trip. The only plans on your agenda are a snorkeling excursion, massage, and candle-lit dinner on the beach. You think: vacation life sure is sweet.If that sounds like paradise right now, you’re not alone. With widespread stay-at-home orders and mandatory work remote policies, the promise of a getaway has never been so appealing. Yet COVID-19 puts a damper on that daydream, not just for travelers like you but also for hotels and resorts around the world. Thankfully, the average traveler can try recreating some of these desired travel experiences—while also helping hospitality workers—all without boarding a plane.We’ve rounded up three ways you can support hotels and vacation plan from the comfort of your couch.
#1 Donate To An Employee Relief Fund. Campaign: Bunkhouse Employee Relief Fund
Bunkhouse is a women-owned and -operated hospitality group known for their cooler-than-cool boutique hotels like Austin’s Hotel San Jose. Deeply rooted in the community, Bunkhouse employees knew the temporary closures of most of their properties would have widespread effects. To support their staff and the locales in which they operate during this time, these out-of-the-box thinkers started the Bunkhouse Employee Relief fund to provide their fans with multiple ways to support the hotels they love.From a limited-edition poster to special retail collections inspired by each of their hotels, 100% of the proceeds go directly to their staff. This initiative is a great example of how travelers can “keep their spirits high” and show their support for hospitality workers. As Bunkhouse shared in a recent email, they are “...looking toward the future, envisioning brighter times, and dreaming of bringing the gang back together.” Spirits lifted, indeed!
#2 Purchase A Gift Card To Redeem Later. Campaign: We Travel Forward
“Let's support the hotels today that will be the future of our adventurous spirit.” That’s the key message behind the “We Travel Forward” campaign started by hospitality experts Amy Ogden and Wade Breitzke. The online platform serves as an easy-to-navigate directory of hotels that are offering gift cards and experiences that travelers can purchase now and redeem later, and all hotels are encouraged to sign up to be part of the program.This campaign ties in perfectly with the #TravelTomorrow, #GoLater hashtags that hotels have widely adopted on social media and gives travelers a convenient way to directly provide the support hotels so dearly need.
#3 Shop Your Favorite Hotel
If you’re looking for a more immediate way to feel connected to a hotel, check to see if they have an online store like Noble House’s home & gift collection. Featuring a “thoughtfully curated collection of bedding, bath and spa essentials” inspired by Noble House’s experience-rich resorts, shoppers can literally bring their favorite hotel home with them. Sip your morning tea wrapped in a plush robe or drift off to a tropical state of mind with their coconut mango room fragrance diffuser -- whatever you choose, your purchases will support hotel workers and turn your home into an oasis of calm. Win/win!
Did you enjoy the read?
Get original hospitality industry insights delivered to your inbox. Sign up to receive Screen Pilot’s Weekly COVID-19 Resource Center Updates.
