As a result of the sanitary crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak, hotel occupancy in Panama has fallen to historic levels and business income has gone up in smoke, a situation that is forcing hotels to look for options to renegotiate their debts.
It is estimated that in this context of economic crisis, Panamanian hotels owe $630 million to financial institutions.
The international chain began to operate in the Santa Ana district of the country's capital a hotel that has 143 rooms and halls for social events.
The new Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana, will focus on attracting clients from the international and local corporate sector, since the meeting rooms are equipped with the most advanced technology to hold meetings, trainings, seminars, among other activities.
Due to Costa Rica's estimated average hotel occupancy rate of 52% by 2020, well below the 95% recorded at the end of 2019, businessmen in the sector expect that in this context of crisis there will be no peak seasons next year.
The tourism sector is one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19, because mobility restrictions, the closure of air terminals and the fear of tourists to be infected, have influenced the drastic fall in tourism activity.
Although most activities in the country reopened at the end of August, hotel occupancy levels are still low and business people fear they will be forced to cut more jobs or close operations.
Following the reactivation of air transportation and the easing of restrictions on foreign visitors, the Marriott chain announced the reopening of four hotels operating in the country and the Four Seasons will also reopen its resort in Guanacaste.
The year 2020 has been a complex one for the tourism sector in general, since due to the outbreak of covid-19 since March the hotels began a period in which they did not receive income.
Arguing that they will be able to maintain social distance in the common areas, the hotel guild in Costa Rica is asking the government to authorize them to operate at 100% of their capacity, and not at 50% as they are currently allowed.
According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH) the total use of hotel rooms does not represent a disadvantage since these spaces are used in family, social bubbles or individually.
Disinfection of the room keys, deep cleaning of the facilities and the guests' luggage are some of the protocols that will be applied by the hotels in Costa Rica at the time of opening.
After being closed for two months due to the health crisis resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, since May 16 the country's hotels with less than 20 rooms were allowed to open their doors to the public, but with the condition that they only occupy 50% of their capacity.
Because of the restriction measures decreed in the country due to the covid-19 outbreak, between March and April of this year the average hotel rate for two people decreased from $160 to $120.
According to the "Monetary Policy Report" prepared by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), in the face of the health crisis, hotel occupancy in the country has plummeted in the first four months of the year, from 90% in January to 15% in April.
Corporacion Camino Real, Radisson, Hyatt, Marriot, Adriatika, Hilton Garden and Holiday Inn are some of the large hotels that have suspended operations in Guatemala due to the health and economic crisis affecting the world.
As a result of the covid-19 outbreak, the Real Intercontinental Hotel suspended operations from April 1 and according to its managers, the reopening will depend on government regulations.
Adapting spaces in the restaurant area, selling themselves to tourists as a clean and safe establishment, are some of the strategies that hotel sector businessmen plan to apply in order to adjust to the new commercial reality resulting from the health emergency.
The spread of covid-19 has forced health authorities to restrict the mobility of people and to close several establishments, with hotels being one of the most affected.
Hoteliers believe that the government's recommendation to return the full amount to guests who had rooms reserved, who for the moment will not be able to enjoy the service because of the health crisis, is unworkable.
A report by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) details that consumers have the right to a refund or rescheduling without penalty, as opposed to cancellation of reservations at the national or international level.
Following the spread of covid-19 and the restrictions placed on people's mobility, the country's hotel sector warns that there is a risk of bankruptcy if a financial rescue plan is not implemented.
Managers of the Salvadoran Association of Small Hotels of El Salvador (Hopes) claim that hotels and the tourism sector were among the first to receive the economic impact of the crisis resulting from the health emergency, and will be among the last to recover.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement to open a new facility at the Captalino World Trade Center complex by mid-2020.
Hilton San Salvador will have 198 rooms, 27 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, two boardrooms and 16 meeting units. The building is located in Colonia Escalon.
In order to increase hotel occupancy in Panama, business people believe that the country should focus on attracting clients in the segment of meetings, conferences, exhibitions and congresses, events that could become the lifeline of the sector.
According to reports from the General Comptroller of the Republic, in October 2019, hotels in Panama City reported an average daily occupation of 4,457 rooms, 5% less than the same month in 2018.
The group formed by Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos and Enjoy Group acquired 100% of the shares of Hotel Punta Islita, which is located in Guanacaste and was previously owned by Grupo Islita.
The companies participating in the transaction informed through a statement dated November 1, that after the sale of the hotel, the enclosure will undergo a process of improvement and expansion.