Back in early 2020, Italy was one of the first countries to
deal with the devastating, widespread impact of the COVID outbreak. By March 9,
2020, the entire country was in lockdown.
At the time, PhocusWire talked
to Giancarlo Carniani, manager of three hotels operated by ToFlorence
Hotels and also Phocuswright’s analyst for Italy. It was an emotional
discussion as Carniani shared the impact he was experiencing both personally
and professionally as a result of the deadly pandemic.
One year later, in March
2021, PhocusWire followed up with Carniani. At that time Florence was still
largely closed – after a brief re-opening in 2020 - and without revenue to pay
staff, Carniani was himself taking care of the properties. As the hotels
reopened later in 2021, new challenges arose such as managing more phone- and
walk-in customers, a lack of international guests, revised cancellation
policies, enhanced cleaning protocols and still – difficulty finding workers.
During Phocuswright Europe 2022, Carniani sat down with
PhocusWire editor in chief Mitra Sorrells in the PhocusWire Studio to discuss
the current situation in Florence and challenges and opportunities for
hoteliers more broadly.
Watch the full discussion below.