Summer is finally here! Some parts of the country are definitely getting more than others. In Calgary we are finally warming up (and by that I mean NO chance of snow in the forecast!) and the east is in the midst of what I consider unbearable weather (30+ with high, high humidity – you can have it!)
Most resort hotels are seeing great numbers with 90 – 100% occ’s through the summer and restaurants gearing up for good numbers as well. Summer is a funny time as business spreads out across the country. City establishments see sporadic numbers as locals try to get out of the city as much as possible and tourists come in droves for the festivals & events or just some sight seeing.
Here in Calgary we are bracing for the Calgary Stampede. I am not sure what the numbers are looking like right now but I do know last year was not good. In years past it is virtually impossible to get a hotel room in the city center and even the hotels well away from the Stampede Grounds have very little to offer. Last year the downtown properties were slashing prices and under cutting one another to get “heads in beds!” It is going to be interesting to hear the aftermath of this year.
I know Vancouver is starting to recover from the Olympic “Hangover.” Business was brisk in the downtown core during the Olympics but I do know that may establishments did not fare as well as they had hoped. Hotels forced to block rooms at set rates, restaurants out of the core not seeing the volume they hoped for. And now they wait for business to stabilize a return.
I have heard that some of the Downtown operations in Toronto are seeing the return of the stock market big spenders while some of the outlying areas and towns are seeing operations closing due to lack of business.
Companies with the $’s are taking advantage of cheaper and more available trades to expand and build while the business levels are low, anticipating a better economy when they are done, acquisitions are happening everywhere (it is tough to keep track of exactly who owns what anymore) and what used to be considered landmarks or institutions are closing their doors.
The landscape has changes and will continue to change – I believe for the better. Yes the “recovery” has to this point been long and slow (I have actually heard of more people closing down since the recovery was announced than during the recession). Line staff labour is going up – way up in some provinces. How do we adapt, change or survive. There are a lot of ideas out there. Once thing I believe to be true is – if you don’t adapt or change you may not survive the new look hospitality industry.