Queretaro, Qro. After the incidence of the Covid-19 pandemic in the hotel sector, there is the challenge of returning to the average level of stay that was prior to the health contingency.
According to the Queretaro Association of Hoteliers (AQH)in the pre-pandemic period the average stay hovered around 1.7 nights per travelera figure that is currently 1.3 nights.
Therefore, hand in hand with resuming pre-pandemic hotel occupancy, the sector has the challenge of resuming the average stay per person staying, explained the president of the AQH, Luis Signoret.
“Yes, of course (they seek to recover the average stay), at pre-pandemic levels, the average occupancy in Querétaro was 1.7 nights per stay, now it has dropped a lot, we have been recovering, we are already at approximately 1.3,” he said.
In this context, the president of the AQH explained that the hotel recovery is advancing positively, due to the inertia left by pleasure tourism during past periods of holidays, estimating that so far this year the average occupancy is around approximately 40 percent.
Meanwhile, contrary to what happens in other areas of the hotel industry, the boutique segment improved the average stay, because prior to the pandemic it was around 1.3 nights and currently it is two nights, reported the president of the Association of Boutique Hotels from Queretaro, Isaac Dehesa Brito.
“It has been extended to almost two nights, when we were at 1.3 nights. People come more to rest or take advantage of the trip to rest, ”she explained.
This hotel branch, he said, remains in a clear recovery, motivated by the results of the last holiday period of Holy Week and Easter, when the 20 hotels of the association were between 80 and 100%, especially during the weekends.
“A good example of the theme (of recovery) is Easter, when the boutique hotels both in Querétaro and other destinations in the state had very good occupancy, there was a large influx of visitors. From Wednesday to Sunday or Saturday, almost all the hotels in the association were above 80%, others at 100%”, he explained.
It is estimated that there are at least 50 boutique hotels in the state; however, only 20 are members, and they have between 15 and 16 rooms. Currently, 10 boutique hotels are in the process of joining the association, to reach 30 members this year.
Regarding the installation of new hotels, he said that the pandemic stopped some investments, which have begun to unblock.
“The pandemic reduced investments a little, but those who were stuck are beginning to walk (…) Of the hotels that closed due to the pandemic, of the association, they have all reactivated,” he explained.
The supply of boutique hotels in the state is found in the Historic Center of Querétaro, as well as in the Magical Towns of Bernal, Cadereyta de Montes, Tequisquiapan; in addition to the municipality of San Juan del Río, which is beginning to participate in the sector and the development of hotels of this type in the wine-producing area of the state.