Spain’s Melia Hotels in the red
Madrid-based Melia Hotels swung to a first-half loss after suffering what its CEO called the worst quarter in the company’s history as the coronavirus forced hotel closures across the globe. Just 12% of Melia’s available rooms were open during the April-June quarter as global travel was brought to a near standstill at the height of the pandemic in Europe, with flights grounded and most countries imposing nationwide lockdowns. Spain accounts for 43% of Melia’s total portfolio of rooms.
Dublin hotels faring worst as bookings drop
Dublin hotels are faring terribly in the COVID-19 crisis, with room occupancy rates for July at just 17% of what they were last year. Many hoteliers say they are now facing ruin as national figures show advance bookings for August are down by more than 50%. Average occupancy of hotel rooms across the state was 42% for the month just ending, compared with room take-up of 90% in July last year. The situation is particularly serious in Dublin where numerous new hotels are due to open later this year.