In efforts to reopen the city, Columbus wants hotels, event venues and other attractions to seek accreditation from an industry cleaning association.
Experience Columbus is coordinating efforts to get its tourism partners to ramp up the disinfection of their facilities. The city says the GBAC Star accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council is the gold standard for the cleaning industry.
A press release from Experience Columbus says it is “the only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.”
“Our city has already taken great strides toward making residents and visitors feel safe in this new era,” said Brian Ross, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, in an emailed press release. “This GBAC accreditation will further prepare us and our partners to welcome more people back into our city.”
Experience Columbus adds that at least one of its partners in every sector of tourism has already committed to securing the accreditation.
At a forum Wednesday, Ross said Columbus has lost $145 million in tourist spending due to the coronavirus pandemic. It's unclear when large events and live performances will be allowed to resume again.
