Home > Professional Services > Expert Contributor

The Relevance of the Cleaning Industry for Tourism

By Melina Cruz Villafaña - Homely
CEO

STORY INLINE POST

By Melina Cruz | CEO & Co-founder - Wed, 05/03/2023 - 11:00

share it

The hospitality industry is an essential part of the global economy, providing employment and contributing to economic growth in countries worldwide. The industry includes various businesses offering lodging, food, and beverage services to travelers and tourists.

Among the most significant aspects of the hospitality industry is its impact on tourism. Many travel to new destinations to experience different cultures, enjoy scenic landscapes, and visit historical sites. Hotels, resorts, and other accommodations provide a comfortable place for travelers to stay while they explore new places. 

This industry also plays an essential role in creating jobs and supporting local economies. Tourism and the hospitality industry are significant sources of employment and income in many developing countries. From housekeeping and front desk staff to chefs and servers, hotels and restaurants provide employment opportunities for people with various skills and backgrounds.

Taking a deeper look at the relationship this industry has with the cleaning industry, it is important to mention that the cleaning industry is an essential part of modern society, providing services that are necessary for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in homes, offices, hospitals, schools, and other public spaces. The industry encompasses various services, from general cleaning and maintenance to specialized services, such as carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and disinfection.

The cleaning industry has been around for centuries, with records of cleaning services dating back to ancient civilizations. However, the modern cleaning industry has evolved significantly, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer needs, and a greater focus on health and safety.

The hospitality industry and cleaning industry go hand in hand, as proper cleaning is critical to ensuring guest satisfaction in the hotel industry. Latin America is a popular tourist destination with numerous tourist attractions, ranging from stunning beaches to historical cities, making the hospitality industry a significant contributor to the region's economy.

The hospitality industry is also a vital source of income for many Latin American countries, with tourism being one of the primary sources of foreign exchange. Accommodation, food, and tourist activities generate the most revenue, and the cleaning industry plays a key role in providing services for the hospitality industry. To maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness and ensure customer satisfaction, hotels, restaurants, and other tourist establishments require regular cleaning and maintenance services. Thus, the cleaning industry is an important business partner for the hospitality industry.

Mexico and Colombia have experienced significant growth in the hospitality industry in recent years, driven by tourism in these countries. In Mexico, the hotel industry is one of the country's main economic drivers and has expanded rapidly. In 2019, the country received over 44 million tourists, generating more than US$24 billion in revenue, according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the importance of cleaning and disinfection in the hospitality industry, leading to significant investment in cleaning and disinfection services by hotels and other modes of accommodation.

Colombia has also experienced substantial growth in the tourism industry, with over 4 million foreign tourists visiting the country in 2019, generating more than US$6 billion in revenue, according to the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. The growth in tourism has increased demand for cleaning services in hotels and tourist accommodations, and the pandemic has only further emphasized the importance of cleaning and disinfection.

In Mexico, the hospitality and tourism industry represents approximately 8.7% of the country's GDP, according to 2019 data from the National Business Tourism Council (CNET). Meanwhile, in 2019, the hospitality and tourism industry represented 2.8% of Colombia's GDP, according to Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism figures.

The Mexican Hotel and Motel Association (AMHM) reports that in 2019, Mexico had over 22,000 hotels and motels with a capacity of more than 850,000 rooms. According to figures from the National Tourism Registry, Colombia has more than 20,000 tourist establishments, including hotels, hostels, apartments, and resorts. Furthermore, there are 91,000 active Airbnb listings throughout Mexico, and 48,000 active listings in Colombia.

Both Mexico and Colombia's cleaning industries have had to adapt to the needs of the hospitality industry to meet guest demands. Cleaning and maintenance services are essential to ensuring guest satisfaction and the reputation of hotels and tourist accommodations.

At Homely, as a company specializing in cleaning and maintenance services, we have developed technology that allows it to respond to fluctuations in demand from the hospitality and property management industry. The company's technology ensures compliance with necessary cleaning services for day-to-day operations, standardizes cleaning processes, and manages personnel and supplies at different locations.

Since our merger with Hogaru, Homely has started operations in Colombia, providing all players in the hospitality industry a solution based on compliance and flexibility in response to their space cleaning needs. 

For Homely, it is evident that the hospitality and cleaning industries are closely related and have rapidly expanded in Mexico and Colombia in recent years. The growing demand for cleaning and disinfection services has led to increased investment in cleaning and maintenance services by the hotel industry. In both countries, cleaning is essential to guest satisfaction and accommodation reputation.

In conclusion, the hospitality and cleaning industries are crucial to Latin America's economy, and the two industries are closely related. The growth of the hospitality industry has increased the demand for cleaning and maintenance.

Photo by:   Melina Cruz Villafaña

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter