Westin Hotels & Resorts today announced they will become the first hotel chain in the region to introduce a smoke-free policy.
Beginning July 31st, The Westin Sydney, The Westin Melbourne and The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa Fiji will be totally smoke free and join Westin’s 77 North America hotels that introduced a smoke-free policy last January.
The new policy also reinforces Westin’s new brand positioning around personal renewal and offering guests the services, products and amenities that allow them to relax, rejuvenate and restore during their stay.
Westin is a year ahead of non-smoking legislation being introduced in Australia in July 2007, but they are also going that next step by abolishing “smoking rooms”, with the three properties smoke free in public areas as well as 100% smoke free in all guest rooms Outdoor smoking areas will be designated for guests who smoke.
“At the heart of all our decisions is the comfort, well-being and quality of life for our guests,” said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President for Westin Hotels & Resorts.
“Industry research as well as our own research confirmed a demand for a clean, smoke free hotel environment and we felt it important to take this step,” added Sean Hunt, VP & Area Managing Director for Starwood Australia Pacific Hotels. “The new smoke free policy supports our goal to offer a spectrum of products, services and personal touches that help our guests leave our hotels feeling better than when they arrived”.
Westin consumer data revealed 95% of its guests in this region request a non-smoking room when travelling and don’t smoke in any area of the hotel, including public areas.
In eight test hotels that introduced 100% smoke free policies in the US, all enjoyed overwhelming positive response from guests and the introduction of the smoke free policy six months ago across all 77 Westin properties in North America has also received positive feedback from guests, staff and industry.
In addition, recent independent consumer surveys highlighted that 71% of people polled supported a total ban on smoking in hotels, pubs and clubs while 81% of consumers disliked it if they stayed in a non-smoking room and it smells like smoke.
“We’re confident our guests and clients will embrace this bold move to be smoke free throughout our hotels in Australia and the Pacific,” added Sean Hunt.
Report by the non-smoking Mole!
