Dirty hospitality reception areas turn off consumers

The results of a survey of 3,000 people, conducted by P&G Professional and the British Hospitality Association as part of a campaign to highlight the importance of fresh and clean first impressions​ in the industry, have shown how good first impressions can help drive repeat business and spur growth.

Almost 90 per cent of people said that if a reception area loked clean but smelt unpleasant, they would worry about the overall cleanliness of the business, while a further nine out of ten thought a clean reception area created the best first impression.

Adrian Camp, managing director, P&G Professional said: “There is little doubt that fresh and clean first impressions are vital to attracting and retaining business. Fresh scents go hand in hand with clean rooms and communal areas in enhancing the overall guest experience. Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs that don’t pay attention to their customers’ first impressions may never get a second chance.”

Attracting Olympic business​

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the BHA, said cleanliness in the hospitality industry was vital if businesses wanted to attract custom during the summer, and later during the 2012 Olympics.

“With domestic holidays on the increase, hotels and restaurants need to ensure that they encourage even more people to holiday in Britain this year - and for years to come. Offering sparkling clean premises is one of the keys of success. Getting this right will drive up revenues and spur business growth. With the 2012 Olympic Games around the corner, nothing is more important.”

VisitBritain recently launched a website​, offering hospitality and tourism businesses advice and help on how to make the most of the 2012 Olympics.