Many B&B and travel associations are encouraging members to educate their employees so that they are doing everything possible to safegaurd the health of guests and themselves, educate their sales and reservations staff so they can respond to any questions from guests about the flu, and institute extra procedures to ensure that door knobs, TV remotes, phone hand sets, etc. are sanitized.
Hoteliers may send business-specific questions to DHSPandemic@dhs.gov or contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 888-232-6348. E-mail questions to inquiry@cdc.gov.
As of April 27, there have been no reported cases of swine influenza found in U.S. hotels. The CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico; the World Health Organization advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.
Official resources include the following. Thanks to the California Hotel & Lodging Association for compiling this list.
2009 Swine Influenza Event
Lodging Business Planning for Flu Outbreaks (2005)
Government Resources for Influenza Outbreaks
Crisis Communications Resources
Risk Communications Resources - Pandemicflu.gov communications resources on swine and avian flu
Has your inn been affected by the swine flu? Have you received any cancellations? Please share your thoughts.