What
Global luxury hospitality rating system Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has released its recent survey of 438 general managers and senior executives that represent one-third of FTG’s star-rated hotel collection. According to the report, the top two challenges for hoteliers are difficulty in adapting and maintaining luxury service levels amid COVID-19 constraints (64%) and pressure on operating budgets (62%). Still, 86% of respondents feel either very or highly confident to handle any COVID-19 outbreak at their property.
Why It Matters
Conducted in June over two weeks, the report explores the impact of COVID-19 on the luxury hotel segment from a worldwide perspective. A majority of hoteliers (70%) feel confident that business will return to sustainable levels within a year, even though 41% of hotels surveyed were closed at the time (38% of closed properties plan to reopen in July, 18% in August and 15% in September). Nearly all open hotels noted a June occupancy of less than 50%.
Health and safety measures are top of mind for respondents, of which 97% are providing staff with personal protective equipment, and 95% are ramping up frequency of cleaning procedures. Capacity control throughout the property (75%) and altering guest and public areas to promote social distancing (81%) are other prevalent measures among hotels.
RELATED: Why High-End Hotels Are Uniquely Positioned to Rebound From the Coronavirus Slump
Fast Facts
- The survey took place from June 9 to 23, 2020, and gathered 438 responses from 64 countries.
- Another challenge facing hoteliers is pressure on budgets to support staffing levels (46%).
- Of the 41% represented hotels currently closed, 58% say that between 78% and 100% of staff were either laid off or furloughed.
- FTG intends to field another survey in August to continue tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the luxury hotel segment.
- In 2020, more than 1,800 properties earned FTG’s Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended awards.
What They Are Saying
“Our industry is poised and ready to receive guests once again after months of reimagination, training and preparation,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of FTG. “They have reinvented their operations, ensuring that guest experience is still at the heart of the luxury hotel stay. But many hoteliers are faced with a fresh challenge of managing some guests who see the protocols as an inconvenience, regardless of safety for staff and other guests.”
The Details
Forbes Travel Guide
www.forbestravelguide.com
