As infection number start to fall and the vaccination rollout progresses, tourism is gradually returning to normal. Bookings are up everywhere, despite continued travel restrictions and hygiene regulations.
Most hotels are also welcoming their guests again and very grateful to get going again after such a long time. We asked some hoteliers of the Green Pearls® partner hotels how the new start went for them, what challenges they had to face and what has changed for them in the last months. Something they all can agree on: It is clear that people are eager to travel again.
Mitja Sirk, La Subida Country Resort, Italy
We are happy with the booking figures, even though the numbers are not yet back to the level of two years ago due to the capacity restrictions of the restaurants. Since the reopening, many of the guests have not been to La Subida before and are looking to discover something new.
However, we notice a certain ambivalence among our guests. On the one hand, the desire for safety is great, and of course, the hygiene concept of the eco-resort is high as well. On the other hand, some guests, probably exhausted by the rules and regulations of the last months, sometimes find it difficult to stick to the rules of the hotel.
Corona has certainly made us even more committed and focused in our work.
Madelaine Ulrich, Naturresort Schindelbruch, Germany
After almost a year of lockdown, it was a challenge for the whole team to quickly re-establish the necessary routine in terms of communication and procedures. However, the exchange with the guests is excellent and the mutual trust in the hygiene and safety concepts is strong.
We are all happy to be healthy and thankful for our stable employer. As a team we have learned to fight, to be there for each other and to help those who are not doing as well as ourselves. And of course, we have missed our guests dearly. After the long standstill, we are ready for all the changes and challenges that will come to the hotel industry.
Stephan Bode, SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, Germany
After a few minor problems, business has picked up again and the booking figures for the summer are about the same as last year. The newly opened spa sun terrace has been especially well-received by the guests.
Since the reopening, we have identified two types of guests. Some are grateful to get out and about again and are totally happy and satisfied with everything. The others, for whom a rather negative mood has set in during the pandemic, are quickly dissatisfied and complain immediately even about the smallest things.
The most important lesson for the team from the lockdown is that everyone must try to accept the time that we are in and that everything will happen as it happens. Learning to accept this is good for one’s mood and health – since it cannot be changed anyway.
The biggest challenge for us at the moment is the increasing shortage of skilled workers, which is even more visible now than before the pandemic. Many employees have changed sectors in recent months.
Elena Scalambrin, Relais del Maro, Italy
We are happy about the positive feedback from our guests and a fully booked hotel. While our guests initially had great difficulty finding their way through the maze of entry, testing and hygiene regulations, the situation is now much more relaxed. Fortunately, we have survived the time and can finally take care of our guests again.
Family Lauber, CERVO Mountain Resort, Switzerland
The summer season started rather quietly for us in May/June. However, the guests who find their way to us at the CERVO Mountain Resort are very satisfied and happy about their getaway. They especially appreciate eating „out” again and being pampered. Even though the CERVO never had to close completely due to the pandemic, Corona has shaken up a lot of things and is influencing our operations in the long term.
The main lesson we learned from the pandemic is that „digitalization is key”, and we will also take this with us for the future. But also, and most importantly for us, is the experience of working as part of a team that supports each other and is there for one another.
Katharina Lichtmanegger, Berghotel Rehlegg, Germany
As soon as we knew when we could open again, we put a lot of sweat, heart, and soul and turned the whole house inside out and dusted, mopped and polished it from top to bottom. We were able to plan many projects during the lockdown and even completely implement some of them.
The opening went smoothly and the booking figures for the summer season are very good. We can clearly see a great need for a sense of safety and security among the guests. After the initial confusion and misunderstandings due to the many different regulations in the federal states, the exchange between guests and staff has now settled down. The mood among the guests, many of whom are visiting for the first time, is positive. They are happy to finally be able to have some time off and can enjoy their holiday after the long lockdown.
The Corona period has taught us a lot – both in private and as a business. We are lucky and very happy to have a strong team of staff behind us. During the lockdown, we stuck together at the Rehlegg – no staff member was made redundant and no one left us voluntarily for another industry. Looking out for each other and appreciating each other is just one of the many lessons we learned from Corona.
Sinah Großeibl, Mawell Resort, Germany
The whole team is grateful to be able to pursue their passion and pamper guests again. On opening day, we were all as excited as on the first day of school! We were very well-prepared and used the time to train staff in order to close any gaps.
We currently have more inquiries than ever before. The stays are longer than before the pandemic, and price discussions are extremely rare. However, the intensity of advice regarding hygiene concepts and restrictions also continues to increase. On the whole, guests are happy, almost euphoric, to be able to travel again. They appreciate our hygiene concept with obligatory PCR tests very much and are happy to accept the extra effort.
The pandemic has had a lasting impact on all of us and our way of travelling. Leisure time, wellness, holidays, and recreation are extremely important at the moment, and people are more in touch with nature. From a business perspective, this was and still is a very difficult time. I think that the only hotels that will emerge stronger from the crisis are those that have used the lockdown to change, improve and revise. For trainees and staff whose family environment was or is not in the immediate vicinity, it is an extremely difficult time. We have to pay attention to each individual, have conversations and look for solutions. Courageous entrepreneurship along with flexible and fast decision-making systems are also needed to motivate and retain these employees.
And the following equation can definitely be applied to our team:
Corona = more time at home = more time for love = more young talent! *laughs*
Renato Botte, Locanda Mistral, Italy
Guests have been looking forward to relaxing breaks in pristine nature, authentic mountain experiences, lots of peace and quiet and culinary delights for so long. We have received great feedback and are very happy with the new start. Unfortunately, it took us a while to get going again. We realize that the Locanda Mistral in the middle of the beautiful unspoiled nature of the Valle Maira is the perfect place to relax and take deep breaths of fresh air again following the challenging Corona times.
There is a noticeable trend that guests are even more consciously seeking time in nature, the mountains, and some peace and quiet… Arguably, the true luxury of today. As hosts, we focus even more on safety and cleanliness now and for the future. We have worked hard to optimize all processes and increase quality even further.
