The Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) and its subsidiary, the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP), have developed recommendations for the reopening of vacation rental properties in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidelines are part of the VRMA & VRHP SafeCommunity™ campaign, that, in conjunction with the SafeHome™ program, allows members to adopt and execute comprehensive travel standards to ensure the safety of their employees, guests, and community as they reopen their properties.
Focusing on employee and guest safety during COVID-19, the guidelines include recommendations on:
Preventive and protective measures
Communications protocols
Safe check-in procedures
Measures to stay safe in the home
Safe use of the property’s amenities
Applicable to properties in all U.S. markets, the guidelines were developed with industry experts from around the country, including Dru Brown of Island Time Hilton Head and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, who led the comprehensive Path Forward Readiness initiative in South Carolina.
“As communities reopen, and visitors return to professionally-managed vacation rentals, it is vital that our employees, guests, and communities remain safe,” said Toby Babich, president of VRMA. “These guidelines provide practical precautions and protocols every vacation rental manager can implement to ensure safety, and help reaffirm that staying in a professionally managed vacation rental is the safest lodging option while traveling.”
Because guest and employee safety is paramount, VRMA and VRHP will continue their efforts to educate and inform the professional vacation rental management community about evolving guidelines and recommendations, enabling property managers to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for their guests, staff and the general public.
For insight from professional vacation rental management organizations that have endorsed the reopening guidelines and the VRMA & VRHP SafeCommunity™ campaign, please visit www.vrma.org/safecommunity.
The new reopening guidelines are not legal or medical advice, and are subject to change as more information becomes available about COVID-19.
About the Vacation Rental Management Association
Founded in 1985, the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) is a professional trade association that represents the vacation and holiday rental property management and hospitality industries. Headquartered in the United States, membership includes professional vacation rental managers and industry suppliers in countries throughout the world. VRMA provides information and research, education and networking opportunities, certification and accreditation, promotes the value of the vacation rental experience and drives industry growth and professionalism.
About the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals
Founded in 1999, the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and development for housekeeping professionals in the vacation rental management industry. VRHP provides its members with exclusive access to certification programs, webinars, education and networking.