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| Photo courtesy Amtrak; Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia; Photo courtesy Philadelphia International Airport |
PHILADELPHIA, PA. – With the Greater Philadelphia region in the yellow phase of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 recovery plan, the region’s hospitality industry, including hotels, transportation providers, attractions, restaurants and other popular tourist sites, is focusing on increased cleanliness and new social-distancing protocols as it begins to slowly welcome back guests. For its part, VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the five-county region’s tourism marketing organization, is launching a public- education initiative to make sure people are aware of the steps being taken to ensure their safety and make them confident and comfortable in choosing to visit Greater Philadelphia.
Research Reveals Visitors Value Cleanliness:
VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s latest findings from Russell Research show just how important cleanliness and sanitation are to people considering travel. About three-quarters of people surveyed said that public health (in regards to cleanliness and safety) is the primary consideration when choosing a destination for their first leisure trip. Of the more than 700 travelers surveyed, 41% want hand sanitizer or wipes available to guests, 40% want customer-facing staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and 38% want customers to be encouraged to wear PPE.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s latest findings from Russell Research show just how important cleanliness and sanitation are to people considering travel. About three-quarters of people surveyed said that public health (in regards to cleanliness and safety) is the primary consideration when choosing a destination for their first leisure trip. Of the more than 700 travelers surveyed, 41% want hand sanitizer or wipes available to guests, 40% want customer-facing staff to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and 38% want customers to be encouraged to wear PPE.
“With locals beginning to get out and explore again now that we’re in the yellow phase, we want them to feel as comfortable as possible and know that Greater Philadelphia hotels, attractions and businesses are putting their health right on par with their employees,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “Our public-education initiative is designed to empower visitors to choose a destination that is doing everything possible to make their experience a safe and enjoyable one. That’s especially important for an urban destination like Philadelphia.”
Businesses throughout the region are following guidelines set by organizations like the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lodging Association, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia. Measures include protective barriers to help with in-person contact, masks, temperature checks, social-distancing signage, capacity limits and enhanced cleaning regimens.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA is taking an integrated marketing approach to ensure the public knows what businesses and attractions are doing to prepare to welcome them again. That means regularly updated content on visitphilly.com that details specific actions hotels, transportation providers, attractions and restaurants are taking (details below); paid advertising; social media promotion; and a public relations push.
Hotels, Attractions & Others Take Action:
Transportation Providers:
- Amtrak: Amtrak is allowing for physical distancing by reducing the number of ticket sales on reserved services. They also require face coverings for all employees and riders and have ramped up the frequency and intensity of their cleaning services. For now, it’s cashless payments exclusively. And through August 31, 2020, they’re waiving change fees on all reservations.
- Megabus: Every rider will enjoy an empty seat next to them thanks to the 50% capacity restriction on Megabus. Additional policies include: face masks for employees and passengers, contactless ticketing, and enhanced cleaning.
- Philadelphia International Airport: Two of the most notable features at the Philadelphia International Airport in the wake of COVID-19: motion sensor-activated technology throughout public areas, including doors, faucets, soap dispensers, flush valves, paper towel dispensers and doors, as well as the Grab app, a contactless food-ordering platform that enables guests to order food and bypass long lines without ever pulling out a credit card.
- SEPTA: Back to its regular schedule (except on the Regional Rail), SEPTA is sanitizing each vehicle twice a day, redeploying crews so that cleaning is happening around the clock and setting passenger limits for easier social distancing.
Hotels:
- Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center: The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is collaborating with Johns Hopkins Medicine International on its new global health and safety program Lead With Care. In addition, all hotels will appoint a hygiene officer focused on implementing enhancements to already stringent procedures. 1 N. 19th Street
- IHG Hotels & Resorts: Working with the Cleveland Clinic, IHG Hotels & Resorts is developing guidance and resources for hotel teams, including those at their 26 Philadelphia region properties — Kimpton Hotels and Holiday Inns, among them). At each individual property, a Clean Champion will help staff deliver elevated cleanliness standards.
- Loews Philadelphia Hotel: Loews Hotels’ Chat Your Service program allows guests to use their own cell phones to communicate with staff for all requests, such as room service, extra towels, concierge advice or car retrieval from the valet. 1200 Market Street
Attractions:
- Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum: This historic gem in Bucks County reopened its 100-acre space for socially distant, self-guided tours on select days beginning on June 15. Guests must purchase timed tickets online to explore the grounds of the impressive Greek Revival mansion. 1237 State Road Andalusia
- Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center: Reopening on June 24, Shofuso will be one of the first gardens to open in Philadelphia. Visitors — limited to a manageable 30 people per hour — will be able to enjoy the gorgeous grounds, just a 15-minute drive from Center City. In-the-know visitors pair a trip to Shofuso with a stop at Parks on Tap (see below), taking place steps away at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Horticultural & Lansdowne Drives
- Peddler’s Village: This major open-air shopping destination in Bucks County is back with measures to keep shoppers, diners and guests at the Golden Plough Inn safe, including the addition of numerous hand-sanitizer stations and social-distancing markers throughout the property. Also new: tables and tents throughout the village, so patrons can enjoy takeout meals, as well as full-service outdoor dining. Route 202 & Street Road, Lahaska
- Spirit of Philadelphia: Passengers are treated to stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline during a Spirit of Philadelphia cruise along the Delaware River, set to relaunch at the end of June with new “standards of cleanliness.” Those include contactless check-in, extended boarding times, a reduction in the number of cruises to allow for proper cleaning and more. 401 S. Columbus Boulevard
Restaurants & Breweries:
- Breweries in Greater Philadelphia: While regional breweries have been doing brisk business with delivery and pickup, some are making moves toward safely reopening to guests. The teams behind Berwyn’s La Cabra Brewing and Quakertown’s
The Proper Brewing Company invite guests to drink and dine in socially distant outdoor tents, which are rigorously cleaned between seatings. And Perkasie’s Free Will Brewing Co. has supplemented its existing outdoor space by converting a brewery-adjacent field into an outdoor beer garden, complete with sanitizing stations and social-distancing requirements. - Outdoor Dining: Dozens of bars and restaurants throughout the region are taking steps to safely accommodate outdoor diners. Those precautions include recommended 90-minute-stay limits (Sancho Pistolas, Pistolas del Sur); the installation of glass partitions in dining areas (Jerry’s Bar); and reduced seating by reservation only (Morgan’s Pier, Dim Sum House by Jane G’s).
- Parks on Tap: Philly’s annual nomadic beer garden has a new stationary home for 2020 outside of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center. Numerous safety measures are being implemented, including hand-sanitizing spray/wipes, a mask requirement and temperature checks for employees. 100 N. Horticultural Drive
About VISIT PHILADELPHIA:
VISIT PHILADELPHIA is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
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