Hotel chain rolls out black-light inspections, UV sterilization
By the CNN Wire Staff
May 31, 2012 — Updated 2336 GMT (0736 HKT)
Best Western International will roll out the use of UV sterilization wands to clean hotels.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Best Western rolls out new cleaning procedures
- Program is responding to a lack of confidence in mid-scale hotel cleanliness
- Black-light inspections, UV sterilization among new housekeeping tools
(CNN) — Out of sight, out of mind. That’s a mantra hotel guests tend to adopt as they tuck into rooms inhabited by hundreds of previous guests — and possibly the microscopic germs and debris they leave behind.
Best Western International on Thursday announced a new approach to cleaning those things visitors can’t see. The chain said its aggressive cleaning program was inspired by research showing a lack of consumer confidence in cleanliness among mid-scale hotels.
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A diver bonds with a sea turtle off the coast of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The stunning Sossusvlei region of the Namib Desert in Namibia is known for being surrounded by tall, red sand dunes. “My camera bit the dust after walking up the dunes,” says Sandra Hayden, who shot this photo. “It got sand in the lens.”
In honor of Memorial Day, today’s Travel Photo of the Day features the stunningly lit World War II Memorial and Washington Monument at night in Washington, D.C. 
The sky over Manhattan bursts with brilliant color at dawn. 
A rufus hummingbird keeps vigil over his feeder from a branch in George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary. “It is always such a pleasure to watch these tiny birds in action; they sure can do amazing things for their size,” says Eric Rossicci, who captured this image.
Fog over Houston, Texas creates a hazy, peaceful sunrise in George Bush Park.
Karen Slavick visited the “quaint” Italian village of Roccamandolfi in April. “The structure, layout and construction of the village were amazing,” she says, “but we couldn’t help but be struck by the sadness of the deterioration of the village itself…my fear is the village will not last much longer.”
Roar! A Bengal tiger prowls through Bandhavgarh National Park in India. The park has the highest known density of the endangered tigers. 
Thousands of uniquely painted eggs make up a giant replica of the Ghent altarpiece in Kiev, Ukraine. The eggs were painted by people around the world and assembled by Ukrainian artist Oksana Mas.
A brightly colored boat glides through Pagsanjan, Philippines, during the Bangkero Festival. The festival, a popular tourist event, celebrates Filipino boatmen and features boat parades and exhibitions.
iReporter Jean Lindsay says Cornwall, a coastal area in the southwestern United Kingdom, is “quintessential England.” She captured this stone wall on a cold, windy, rainy day — just as weather in Cornwall “should be,” she said.
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Julie Sudderth shot this lovely photo while traveling through the Andalucia region. “The vibrance of Southern Spain’s beauties masks the abandoned, but beautiful old building still standing high on the hill.” 
Ter Chieng Chuan and his wife visited Cameron Highland in the Malaysian state of Pahang. They had morning tea at the BOH tea terrace and captured this view. “I will go back with my family again due to the cool weather and natural scenery there.”
Tina Marie O. Lim shared this photo showcasing the rainbow of colorful homes. “The most memorable place for me during our visit to Venice was not Venice itself, but Burano Island, which is known for its brightly painted homes and intricate lacework.”
Matthew Colver shared this great perspective, crafted by nature. “There’s a small hole in the wall along the trail to Delicate Arch, where you can see the arch through the hole. It’s such a magnificent natural feature.”
Chelsie Kozera snapped this shot of the colorfully decorated Everest Base Camp. “I feel that many people don’t realize that the trek is easily done without a tour group or guide. It’s easy to stay in tea houses along the way and carry your own bag. It can be done safely and cheaply by yourself.”
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Hector L. Almodovar shared this bright photo taken on the streets of San Juan. “Known as the ‘Island of Enchantment,’ these colorful homes in the Old City offer a glance of the beauty tucked within a vibrant 500-year-old city.”
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1000ns are now nesting. This is an annual event that draws a lot of attention from people driving to and back from the ferry, which is not far way."" border="0"/>Eric Rossicci captured this photo of a graceful Great Blue Heron “flying with a twig in his beak, carrying it to his nest that he is now building at a heronry in Tsawwassen, where hundreds of other Herons are now nesting. This is an annual event that draws a lot of attention from people driving to and back from the ferry, which is not far way.”
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Chanthana Mekwilai shared this photo of roses before the petals were scattered to comfort the feet of pilgrim monks, journeying from Wat Phra Dhammakaya, to Wat Paknam Bhasichareon. The roses are also a symbol of faith in Lord Buddha. 1000
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Lyn Freeman captured the sunset from Gantheaume Point, during a trip where she “played tourist” across her state. “I saw kangaroos galore, beautiful isolated beaches, hiked in stunning national parks, swam with whale sharks and tiger sharks and saw the famous pinnacles at sunset.”Las Vegas, Nevada
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Washington, D.C.
New York, New York
Ladner, Canada
Houston, Texas
Roccamandolfi, Italy
Springfield, Missouri
Madhya Pradesh, India
Kiev, Ukraine
Pagsanjan, Philippines
Cornwall, England
Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Ronda, Spain
Cameron Highland, Malaysia
Burano Island, Italy
Moab, Utah
Mount Everest, Nepal
Skagit Valley, Washington
Zion Canyon, Utah
Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Las Vegas
Surrey, British Columbia
Ain Sukhna, Egypt
Moorea, French Polynesia
Yosemite National Park, California
Boston, Massachusetts
Borrego Springs, California
Istanbul, Turkey
Pathumthani, Thailand
San Francisco
Durban, South Africa
Palmer Station, Antarctica
Central Park, New York City
Broome, Western Australia
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One Flew South, in Terminal E of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, offers upscale, Southern-influenced cuisine amid stylish surroundings in one of the world’s busie1000
st airports.
Pork belly sliders, a customer favorite at One Flew South.
Hung’s Delicacies, in Terminal two of Hong Kong International Airport, is a branch of the Michelin-starred side-street Chinese bistro of the same name. Hong Kong was named the world’s best airport for its restaurant offerings at this year’s Skytrax awards.
Sliced goose in marinade, a signature dish at Hung’s Delicacies. The two Hung’s Delicacies restaurants have drawn a cult following for their distinctive marinade-braised dishes.
La Moraga, in Terminal three of Spain’s Malaga Airport, is a gastrobar where travelers can enjoy sophisticated tapas and more substantial creations from chef Dani Garcia. The Andalusian master chef is a recipient of Spain’s National Gastronomy Prize, and has won Michelin stars for his restaurants Tragabuches, in Malaga, and Calima in Marbella.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay brings his successful formula to London Heathrow Airport with Plane Food, his stylish restaurant in Terminal five.
Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar, at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, is a place where passengers can enjoy oysters, lobster and champagne next to an aquarium of tropical fish. Schiphol was voted the world’s fifth best airport for its restaurant offerings at this year’s Skytrax awards.
At Altitude, at Geneva International Airport, travelers can enjoy fine dining devised by three Michelin-awarded chefs accompanied by sweeping views over the Jura Mountains.One Flew South, Atlanta
One Flew South, Atlanta
Hung’s Delicacies, Hong Kong
Hung’s Delicacies, Hong Kong
La Moraga, Malaga
Plane Food, Heathrow, London
Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar, Amsterdam
Altitude, Geneva
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Starting this year, Best Western housekeepers will be equipped with ultraviolet sterilization wands to use on highly touched areas such as telephones, bathroom fixtures and light switches. UV black lights will be used during housekeeping inspections to detect biological matter and other particles, the chain said.
Rooms will be outfitted with remote controls that are easy to clean or wrapped for cleanliness. Pillows, blankets and towels will be wrapped to show they’re freshly cleaned.
A microscopic look at hotel hygiene
Best Western plans to roll out the “I Care Clean” program throughout 2012 after pilot programs yielded increased guest satisfaction.
“We are unlocking the potential of the housekeeping profession by providing new tools and training to help ensure customer satisfaction, loyalty and ultimately trust,” said Ron Pohl, Best Western senior vice president of brand management, in a statement.
What do you think? Is there a surefire way to eliminate germs? Do you really want to know what’s in your room?
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