Tourism in North Wales is coming out of hibernation
TOURISM in North Wales is emerging from its enforced spring hibernation as visitors once again flock to the region.
It has been an incredibly difficult time for the sector as the pandemic halted travel and closed hotels, attractions and restaurants.
But this month has seen restrictions gradually lifted by Welsh Government and some kind of normality is returning to resorts like Llandudno, Conwy and Abersoch.
It is very much a “new normal”, though, with the virus still in circulation and mitigation steps in place to keep guests and staff as safe as possible.
For hotels this includes a range of new measures, from a vastly changed check-in system to plastic screens, copious amount of hand sanitiser and, for now, food served only in the bedrooms.
Some hotels and other accommodation providers have remained closed due to the restrictions but in Llandudno the St George’s Hotel, was one of the first to reopen.
Nathan Cousins, group sales and marketing at the Anderbury Hotel Collection, which operates St George’s, talked about the new way of working, saying the restart had “gone well”.
He said: “We had some initial teething adjusting to some of the new procedures like the digital registration cards and then having to stagger the guests as they arrive.
“Even in the first few days we’ve had up to 60 arrivals per day, and trying to welcome these guest and get them to their rooms whilst still maintaining social distancing has been difficult.
“Only being able to offer roomservice is also putting pressure on the breakfast teams – having to serve up to 60 breakfast trays and deliver them on time has also proved to be difficult and tiring.”
Mr Cousins was full of praise for the staff and says guests have been understanding.
“The staff have been fantastic and very enthusiastic to be back working again, even with all the new procedures in place,” he added.
“The guests have also been very sympathetic to all the restrictions and they have been doing there part to help with social distancing.”
But the current confusion over rules has caused some issues with non-residents.
He said: “At this stage we are only open to residents, and our bar and restaurant are not open, but even with all the signage up we still have people trying to get into the hotel wanting to have a coffee.
“We’ve even had an occasion where some people who were not residents got very upset that we would not allow them to use the toilets.”
Mr Cousins is now looking forward to the green light for indoor hospitality.
“We can’t wait until August 3 when we are then able to open our bar and restaurant, not only to our residents but non-residents too,” he said.
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