It’s almost impossible to have a conversation these days without mentioning the recession. Understandable: It’s on everyone’s mind. But in all the gloom and doom, there are some beacons of light. Some businesses are taking advantage of the situation to expand.
With the falling price of real estate, new hotels are opening throughout Europe in 2009. As Enrique Sarasola of Room Mate Hotels said when he visited Travel Agent’s offices this past week, hoteliers have opportunities to open in locations that had never been available to them before. If your clients are eager to try a new destination, these properties just may be incentive for them to go across the Pond.
Spain seems to be a popular spot for new properties: The Grand Hotel El Mirador joined Iberostar’s Grand Collection last month on the Canary Islands, and Sol Melia opened the five-star Gran Melia Colon in Seville just last week.
The UK is also a hot spot for development. In England, Radisson SAS (soon to be Radisson Blu) is opening a new property in Bristol, and the Apex will open the London Wall Hotel—converted from an office block into an 89-room property. (The symbolism speaks for itself.) In Scotland, Glasgow will see the new Blythswood Square, a five-star hotel from the Town House Company, and Rezidor will open a new Missoni hotel in Edinburgh.
These properties will not only offer your clients hip and exciting new places to stay when they travel, they will encourage growth in their communities, making them that much nicer to visit.
