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FEATURE
HOSPITALITY BIZ AUGUST, 2024 21
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over tasks like vacuuming, mopping, and also provides housekeepers with opportunities staffing, inventory management, and scheduling
dusting. Automated scheduling will optimize for career growth and advancement. to enhance operational efficiency. Leadership
workflows and resource allocation. Advanced “Evolving significantly, the role of an and team management have become more
data analytics and AI will predict equipment executive housekeeper has transformed from prominent, with responsibilities including team
failures and personalize cleaning services based a primarily operational position to one that development, training programs, and fostering a
on client preferences and historical data. Smart demands strategic thinking and business positive work environment,” said Vaneeta.
technology will integrate Internet of Things acumen. Today’s housekeepers are expected “Collaboration with other departments,
(IoT) devices for real-time monitoring and to contribute to the overall hotel strategy, such as front desk, maintenance, and food
management, and voice-activated assistants will operational efficiency and revenue generation. and beverage, is essential to ensure seamless
enable hands-free control of housekeeping tasks. Their primary roles are developing and operations and guest satisfaction. Executive
Sustainability efforts will focus on zero-waste managing department budgets, control costs and housekeepers are also key players in promoting
initiatives, biodegradable products, and green measure return on investments on housekeeping sustainable practices, achieving environmental
certifications. Enhanced health and hygiene initiatives. Hence it would be right to say that certifications, and managing energy
standards will be achieved through advanced today’s housekeeper has a chair on the board consumption. They are increasingly included

Sarita Fernandes Vaneeta Arora Jayashree Nagaraj
Director, Housekeeping Corporate Director, Housekeeping, Founder President and
IHCL, Goa The Park, New Delhi. Chairperson, Professional
Housekeepers Association
disinfection technologies like UV-C light and and is no longer just managing a department but in senior management meetings and decision-
improved air quality management,” informed is becoming a strategic business partner,” added making processes, contributing to corporate-
Vaneeta. Sarita. level strategies and decisions. The role now
“Future housekeeping will offer bespoke “With increased number of hotels of the demands advanced training and professional
cleaning solutions tailored to individual needs, same brand in a city opening up, the trend of development to stay abreast of industry trends
utilizing virtual reality (VR) for immersive staff having a multi property executive housekeeper and managerial skills. Recognised as crucial
training. Integration with smart home systems is also catching up. Executive housekeeper to hotel success, Executive Housekeepers are
will automate and synchronize cleaning tasks, can be cluster executive housekeeper, finding greater professional recognition and
while remote monitoring via smartphone apps undertaking a corporate role. The future role career advancement opportunities, reflecting
will become commonplace. Robust health and for an executive housekeeper will be that of a their expanded strategic and managerial
safety measures will ensure staff wellbeing, with Director of Housekeeping. It has taken years responsibilities,” added Vaneeta.
better protective equipment and ergonomic for the hospitality industry to understand that “The future housekeeping looks very bright.
tools. There will also be a focus on employee a housekeeping professional can be elevated to There are many new trends emerging that will
satisfaction through recognition programs and the position of Director of Rooms and General help to make the job of a housekeeper easier,
career development opportunities. Enhanced Manager,” said Jayashree. driving increased efficiencies. Technology will
protocols for data protection and privacy will “The role of an Executive Housekeeper continue to help us deliver better. Exciting new
be crucial to safeguard sensitive customer has evolved significantly with the expansion trends are being adapted by hotels for better
information. These changes will promote greater of the hotel industry. They are now integral outcomes,” concluded Jayashree.
efficiency, personalisation, and environmental to strategic planning, developing cleaning The role of housekeepers has evolved
responsibility in the housekeeping sector,” added protocols, sustainability initiatives, and cost from basic cleaning to a multifaceted
Vaneeta. management strategies. Their responsibilities position requiring a range of skills, including
With these expanded roles, there is a extend to budgeting and financial planning, technological proficiency, specialised cleaning
growing need for professional development overseeing expenses related to housekeeping knowledge, and customer service. As the
and training in the housekeeping field. Many operations, supplies, and staff. With the rise of industry continues to grow and change,
organisations are investing in training programs smart technologies and automation, Executive housekeepers will remain vital, adapting to new
to equip housekeepers with skills in advanced Housekeepers oversee the implementation challenges and expectations. Their role is now
cleaning techniques, technology usage, and and management of these systems, ensuring recognised as not just essential but also as a
customer service. This professionalisation of the alignment with the hotel’s needs. They leverage professional career path with opportunities for
role not only enhances the quality of service but data analytics for informed decision-making in development and advancement. n

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