Interview with Michael Altewischer for the manz-döbele blog
Attractive wellness areas are now a given in the hotel industry and are essential for guest satisfaction. However, inflation and rising energy costs are putting considerable pressure on the industry. Learn about the challenges hotel operators face and the importance of maintaining modern spa areas in this interview with Mr. Michael Altewischer, Managing Partner of Wellness-Hotels & Resorts GmbH in Düsseldorf.
« Mr. Altewischer, you regularly speak with wellness hoteliers as part of your day-to-day work. What is the current mood among hotel operators? »
At present, there is a generally optimistic mood in the wellness hotel industry. Most hoteliers have handled the various challenges of recent years well. They are ready to tackle current and future issues with flexibility, adaptability, and an innovative spirit.
« High energy costs, rising prices in general, and the long “pause” caused by the coronavirus pandemic in recent years continue to weigh heavily on the industry. What do you see as the biggest challenge at the moment? »
The biggest challenge at the moment is dealing with rising costs in general. Inflation and the energy crisis have changed guests’ booking habits. Bookings are made more spontaneously, and guests have become more price-sensitive. With the standard VAT rate on meals returning to 19%, some hoteliers also expect demand to fall because of fewer external guests in the food and beverage sector. This requires hoteliers to be highly creative and adaptable in order to remain profitable while meeting guests’ expectations.
« Many hotel wellness and spa areas have become dated. What would you advise these hotel operators? »
As a society, we have generally grown accustomed to all hotel and spa areas being kept to a top standard. It is therefore essential to keep every area of a hotel modern. Many operators underestimate how quickly their facilities become dated. I therefore recommend continually investing in modern amenities that meet current wellness trends and guests’ needs. Guests accustomed to modern spa facilities at thermal baths, day spas, and fitness studios may find a hotel spa furnished in the 1990s rather strange.
« What added value does investing in a new wellness area bring to hotels? »
Many hoteliers underestimate who they are competing against. Wellness is not a business limited to a particular region. A hotel’s competitors are wellness hotels and spa facilities within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of the guests’ place of origin and not their destination.
A renovated wellness area can be a decisive way to stand out from the competition, present a contemporary image, and increase appeal to new and returning guests. It is important not only to invest in the facilities, but also to develop a suitable wellness concept.
« One final question: What trends will shape the industry in the coming years, and should be part of any top hotel? »
The coming years will be shaped by a combination of technological innovation and a renewed appreciation for traditional wellness practices. Hotels that invest in state-of-the-art spa experiences while also offering authentic, nature-based relaxation experiences are expected to be particularly successful. Hotels should keep these trends in mind and adapt their offerings accordingly to remain leaders in the wellness hotel industry.
Michael Altewischer:
Michael Altewischer has been Managing Partner of Wellness-Hotels & Resorts GmbH in Düsseldorf since 2001, where he primarily focuses on wellness operations planning and the business management of spa departments. He also contributes his extensive expertise and many years of experience in the wellness industry in an honorary capacity, as an advisory board member for the wellness hotel segment at the Hotel Association of Germany (IHA), and as a member of the extended board of the German Association for Bathing (DGfdB).