The start of a new year is a time for resolutions and positive changes-and not just for travelers.
Choice Hotels International announced Tuesday that its chain of more than 1,800 Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites hotels is now the largest hotel brand in the U.S. and Canada to be completely smoke-free.
Choice Hotels said it came to a decision to go smoke-free at its Comfort properties in 2017 after examining consumer research that highlighted shifting attitudes toward hotel smoking policies.
Nowadays, even smokers are more likely to seek out smoke-free guestrooms and suites, Choice Hotels said.
The change will also benefit individual properties, though, improving room conditions and reducing maintenance as well as simplifying inventory management.
Tuesday's announcement coincides with the launch of Comfort's #GoodForYou social media campaign, where travelers are encouraged to share their 2017 resolution posts with the hashtags #GoodForYou, #ComfortInn and #ComfortSuites.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Why the Hyatt Regency Dallas (And Other Hotels) Are Going Smoke-Free [/READMORE]
Guests can also check out ComfortGoodForYou.com to learn more about the brand's approach to wellness.
"The Comfort brand has staying power because we always keep the wants and needs of travelers to top of mind," said Choice Hotels' vice president of brand strategy Anne Smith in a statement. "We continue to take a series of bold steps to make the Comfort guest experience better than ever, and becoming the largest hotel brand across the United States and Canada to commit to being smoke-free is yet another example."
Comfort's move to go completely smoke-free across North America is just the latest example of how travel brands ranging from hotel chains to cruise lines are embracing guest wellness.
Last year, Donna Quadri-Felitti, Director And Associate Professor Of Hospitality Management at Penn State, called the decision to go smoke-free a "sensible, strategic move."
"From the cost savings to the property there are benefits from cleaning to damage from cigarette burns, etc. It makes sense on the expense side of the equation without a doubt."
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