A recent study found that hotel lobbies had a particular role to play in determining whether people wanted to spend the night at certain establishments. A recent overseas study found that 70 percent of adults would not rebook hotels with dirty floors and entrance ways.
When it comes to restaurants, the deal breaker for many patrons is the bathrooms. "After visiting an eating establishment and finding the bathrooms in an unsanitary state, it is doubtful most people would return," says Bidvest Steiner spokesperson, Rika Van Rooyen.
According to a survey by Zogby International, more than 80 percent of consumers would avoid a restaurant with a dirty restroom altogether. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise for an eating establishment, says Van Rooyen. "The general state of the restroom hygiene equipment, such as hand dryers and sanitising stations, is of vital importance. It needs to look like it is regularly serviced and cared for professionally."
"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression and, for restaurants in particular, quality bathroom equipment and consumables are key," says Van Rooyen.
She advises hospitality venues interested in repeat business and building up an enviable base of regular clientele to speak to qualified outsourced hygiene services providers who will be able to advise them on the best soap, sanitiser and paper-based consumables to convey an impression of quality.
"There's no sense in a restauranteur, for example, investing in the best front-of-house consumables like serviettes, refresher towels, and so on, and then neglecting the areas that people visit before, during and after their meals," she concludes.
