US: Chicago-based startup and rental marketplace, CuddlyNest has announced the introduction of its Covid-19 Exceptional Cancellation Policy and new sanitisation filters to help its customers adapt to the ‘new normal’ that is emerging in the travel sector.
The company’s latest cancellation policy can now be applied to any current or future bookings until the end of 2020, and guests can cancel up to 24 hours before arrival, while receiving their booking fee [including CuddlyNest’s service fee] in the form of trip credit. The credit can then be used towards any booking until the end of 2021.
CuddlyNest has also added a sanitisation filter, which will allow guests to check if the accommodation that they would like to book has been properly disinfected in the 48 or 72 hours prior to their search. It is applicable to all accommodations listed on the company’s website.
It comes as businesses across the short-term rental space have been pledging to implement stricter cleaning and disinfection protocols, in order to reassure the next generation of health-conscious travellers that are likely to emerge from this coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, Airbnb launched its ‘Enhanced Cleaning Initiative’ for hosts, comprising of voluntary sanitisation and Covid-19 spread prevention programs which could block reservations between stays over a proposed 72-hour period, while software platform VRScheduler created its own cleaning certification for housekeepers and maintenance staff.
Despite the current circumstances, CuddlyNest is optimistic for the return of summer travel, as countries around the world begin to relax their lockdowns and isolation measures before setting new dates to reopen their borders for tourism. The startup believes that the actions by governments and tourism boards to clearly set out safety measures and restrictions moving forward will not only prevent further spread of the virus, but regain the trust of travellers who will be cautious to make their first steps back into the world of vacations.
CuddlyNest partner and COO, Ritesh Raj, was confident that the tourism industry would unite to pave the way for safe travel: “We have an opportunity to work closely together to ensure the health and safety of our entire global community.”
In the hope that travel may come sooner than many think, CuddlyNest is still encouraging future travellers to #PlanNowStayLater, which it added to its existing slogan of “Browse. Book. Stay”. The purpose of this was to demonstrate it was adhering to social distancing and policies set out by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], and to encourage guests to stay at home before it is safe for them to travel again.
Founded in 2016, CuddlyNest has grown exponentially since, as it aims to offer reliable bookings for over one million properties all around the world.
For more information, visit the CuddlyNest website here.
