Tim Seward, Chair, BH Area Hospitality Association: "Once this pandemic is over we will be welcoming people back for staycations from across the UK and everyone will be busy.”
Published: April 23, 2020 | Updated: 23rd April 2020
| The recently-elected Chair of BH Area Hospitality Association has predicted a busy future for hotels across the conurbation.
Tim Seward, who became the association’s 2020/21 Chair last month, praised the way his members had reacted to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said there were many positive stories from hoteliers including a number of hotels giving away their surplus food to care homes, and vulnerable people, as well as running online giveaways to keyworkers and NHS staff to be taken up in the future. A few hotels were remaining open for keyworkers while others were running takeaway services for the vulnerable and carers Tim, Operations Manager at the Holiday Inn Bournemouth, said: “As an association, we are proud of how many hoteliers in recent weeks have supported each other through emailing, phone calls and online conference calls. “All hoteliers in the area know that we are in this together.
“As we have seen this unity grow we are producing banners for all major hotels across the conurbation to thank all key workers and NHS which all will be displaying proudly for many months to come. “Here in Bournemouth we are lucky in that we have more events all year round to other seaside towns and with several major events cancelled or postponed to later in 2020/2021 future bookings for hotels look hopeful. “We believe that once this pandemic is over our hotels across the area will be welcoming locals back for lunches, dinners and afternoon teas. “But, also, they will be welcoming many who no longer wish to travel abroad from across the UK to visit our beautiful area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to explore what the area has to offer.
“Like any other seaside town, hotels and B&Bs are just part of the furniture. “We are sure that once this pandemic is over we will be welcoming people back for staycations from across the UK and everyone will be busy.” |
“I have already heard from several hoteliers, friends and family members, both local and from afar, who have said that seaside towns such as Bournemouth, although it may be slow to start after the pandemic ends, will be booming with visitors in the future and well able to ride out this storm.