The hospitality industry is rapidly changing. With the introduction of new technologies and environmental initiatives, hotels have changed. But one problem still hangs in the air: should hotel rooms be cleaned daily? Many people argue that hotel rooms should not be cleaned daily to reduce contact between strangers and help the environment. However, on February of 2023, hundreds of hotel workers protested, carrying signs saying "CLEAN HOTEL ROOMS SAVE JOBS". This issue has only become more controversial, so I decided to research it further and share my thoughts on whether hotel rooms should, indeed, be cleaned daily or not.

Before COVID-19, daily room cleaning was standard. But once the pandemic started, hotel guests declined having housekeeping workers clean their rooms. This led to fewer rooms needing to be cleaned, leading to hotels laying off many housekeepers. Recently, the union has pushed to make daily room cleaning standard to preserve the jobs held by primarily by minority groups. Additionally, they want to ensure the cleaning task is easier, since a room not cleaned for several days can be left in terrible condition. By doing this, hotel workers will have an easier time performing their tasks, and employee retention rates will increase. But while these efforts have helped hotel workers retain their jobs, they have also raised environmental concerns. In the past, major hotel groups offered guests loyalty points for forgoing room cleanings, calling this the "environmentally-friendly choice", or greenwashing. Because of the harsh chemicals and excessive use of water in cleaning, they began discouraging users from having daily room cleans, leading to a major change in guest behavior. In fact, in 2023, more than 40% of MGM Resorts' guests in Las Vegas declined cleaning over the past 12 months, leading to many housekeepers being laid off.

With all that said, I believe that hotel rooms should not be cleaned daily, but they should be cleaned more frequently. Times have changed: environmental conservation has become a growing concern, and it's essential we take necessary actions to reduce our pollution and water consumption. Additionally, with the impact of COVID-19, people have become more careful about sanitation, wanting minimal contact from other people including workers. However, while these factors are important to consider, we are in a time where job opportunities are critical for societal growth. We also need to remember that constant room cleaning is meant to provide us with a better hotel-stay experience. Thus, if rooms are not necessarily cleaned everyday but cleaned every 2-3 days, I believe this will not only reduce the environmental impact but still allow hotel workers to perform their work and retain their jobs. If stays are extended, these cleanings can be relatively lighter throughout their stay to reduce noise and disturbance.

Overall, the problem of whether hotel rooms should be cleaned daily remains prevalent in the hospitality industry, with people arguing for both sides. There is no clear right or wrong, because daily room cleaning has its benefits and consequences. Now I want to ask you, what are your thoughts? Should hotel rooms be cleaned daily or not? Let me know in the comments!