Social Security is bidding for hotel service in the metropolitan area in order to house medical professionals in charge of the emergency care of covid-19.
The hotel facilities are required to guarantee privacy, comfort and security for the medical professionals staying there and the use of all the facilities by the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, except for the common areas, which must remain closed due to health security protocol.
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.
Between the first half of 2018 and the same period in 2019, the number of hotel rooms in the country grew 4%, and occupancy rose from 62.9% to 63.4%.
Official figures specify that between January and June last year and the first half of 2019, in the hotel sector the number of establishments went from 3,315 to 3,524, and in the case of the number of rooms went from 55,735 to 58,024.
Because the facilities do not meet minimum quality standards, 79% of registered accommodations in Guatemala are classified as not recommended.
The Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) reported that most hostels, pensions, small hotels and other hotel facilities in the country are considered as not recommended because "they do not meet quality standards and are not suitable for domestic and foreign tourists to visit."
A new 106-room hotel complex was inaugurated in the department of Retalhuleu, with the capacity to accommodate 440 guests.
The new resort, called "Hostal Aldea de la Selva" was built by the Institute for Recreation of Workers of Private Enterprise of Guatemala (IRTRA) on a 50,000 square meter property.
With the aim of promoting the destinations of both countries, businessmen from the hotel sector of Quintana Room, Mexico, seek to create alliances with Guatemalan tour operators.
In Guatemala, a business meeting is held between Guatemalan tourism businessmen and a group of Mexican executives, headed by representatives of the Posadas hotel chain.
One of the main objectives of the convention, which will end on November 25th, is to increase the number of visitors through the implementation of a tourist tour from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Chetumal and Tikal to Antigua Guatemala.
After Selina opened its first establishment in Antigua, Guatemala, the international chain announced that next year plans to open five new hotels in different parts of the country.
The chain's representatives informed that for the opening of the new hotels, which will be in the departments of Solola, Escuintla, Guatemala, Alta Verapaz and Peten, an investment of approximately $6 million will be made.
With 76 beds, a restaurant and 146 parking spaces, the hotel Suites Terraza Imperial has opened in zone 13 of the Guatemalan capital.
The hotel is being promoted as an ideal establishment for business travelers and for those who visit the capital of Guatemala for medical treatments.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...Terraza Imperial is a hotel with executive focus, and is luxurious, comfortable and accessible, a concept that complements the services needed for short stays for business trips or long stays for those seeking medical treatment, for example."
Hotel renovations and the opening of new establishments are planned next year in Guatemala, in a market where the occupancy rate is around 60%.
Despite the fact that the occupancy rate has not exceeded 60% in the last two years, growth of the hotel market in Guatemala continues, especially in the metropolitan area.In this location, the areas of greatest demand continue to be those near the road to El Salvador, Cayalá and the sector near La Reforma Avenue.
Hilton Hotels has announced the development of nine hotel projects in the region, which together will add approximately 1,300 rooms to the hotel chain in Central America.
From a press release by Hilton Hotels:
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announces the expansion of its Latin American footprint with new deals signed in Central America. Now, Hilton has a pipeline of nine hotels across five countries in Central America, representing five of Hilton's brands: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn by Hilton.
As well as the recent opening of a hotel by the Marriott chain and another one by Multi-Inversiones, three more establishments will be added in the capital in the coming months.
After a few years of relative calm, the hotel market in Guatemala is starting to recover with the opening of new stores, some by brands already present in the country and some by new ones.
The US budget accommodation group G6 Hospitality has announced that within five years it will build ten hotels in Belize, Costa Rica and Panama.
From a statement issued by G6 Hospitality:
DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- G6 Hospitality, known for its iconic economy lodging brands, Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that it is extending its footprint to Central America.
Three out of four hotels reported not having shown an improvement in their operations in 2015.
Results from the study "Tourism sector 2015, challenges to overcome, "prepared by the Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES), underscores the need to modernize industry, improve strategies for promotion and attracting tourists (50% of the hotel respondents claimed to have no website).
In partnership with Cayalá Group the Marriott International chain has announced for 2018 a 160 room hotel in Guatemala City and another hotel with 115 rooms in the Cuidad Cayalá complex in zone 16.
The hotel to be built in Guatemala City will have 160 rooms and will operate under the brand Marriott Hotel, while the second hotel will have 115 rooms and will be of the brand AC Hotel.Both facilities will be built by Cayalá Group and operated by Marriott International Corporation.