The legislation also emphasises the importance of maintaining room cleanliness, mandating daily cleaning. Credit: Edvard Nalbantjan / Shutterstock.

The New York City Council in the US has voted in favour of a new licensing programme for hotels to enhance guest safety.

Known as the ‘Safe Hotels Act’, the Introduction 991-C programme was sponsored by council member Julie Menin. It mandates hotel operators to obtain an operating licence, with an application term of two years and a licence fee of $350.

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They must also ensure continuous front desk coverage and continuous on-site security guard presence for larger establishments while rooms are occupied.

The legislation also emphasises maintaining room cleanliness, mandating daily cleaning unless the guest declines, as well as a shift towards direct employment of hotel workers, with exemptions for small hotels with fewer than 100 rooms.

It introduces safety measures such as equipping employees with panic buttons and providing human trafficking recognition training. Non-compliance with the license conditions could result in civil penalties for hotel operators.

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The bill, proposed on 18 July earlier this year, garnered the support of 40 council members.

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New York City Council speaker Adrienne Adams said: “The hotel industry is critical to our city’s economy. Licensing will help maintain health, safety and consumer protections and standards.

“New York City has long regulated businesses in the tourism industry, and this legislation is an important step to support the operation of hotels throughout our city for New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

Applauding the passage of the Safe Hotels Act, the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) president and CEO Vijay Dandapani said: “After hard-fought negotiation and necessary adjustments that exempt small hotels from onerous costs and all hotels from arbitrary licensing rules, the legislation passed today by the City Council will create a fair and practical standard for hotels that will protect both our industry and employees – and also provide the best possible experience for our guests so that New York City remains the world’s top travel destination.”