Marriott hotels offering pre-event Covid tests to attract meetings

Marriott plans to roll out optional coronavirus tests in January as part of its group meetings and events division. The protocols include self-administered tests the guest could take prior to arrival or a coronavirus test administered by a third-party provider at the hotel. Optional daily temperature checks at the entrance to an event area as well as pre-arrival health screening questions via a dedicated mobile app are also included in this latest initiative aimed at group meetings and events. The program works as a complement to Marriott’s Commitment to Clean initiative launched earlier this year in response to the pandemic. While heightened health and safety programs like Commitment to Clean are aimed at restoring hotel guest confidence and getting travelers back into hotel rooms, Marriott has a good reason at focusing specifically on the group meetings and events business.