Bucharest’s Sofitel is part of the French Accor group management system.
“The present weekend occupancy rate is 30 percent. If we reach 40 percent, it is more than good. If there are no programs in Paris to bring tourists to Romania, we cannot do anything from here either to increase the weekend occupancy rate. This is the main problem; a lack of promotion of Romania and especially of Bucharest,” Vinette told Business Standard.
The situation is similar for all hotels in Bucharest. “We do very well Monday through Thursday, but things start to slow down on the weekends,” Vinette explained. “I think all hotels should do something to bring more tourists over the weekend,” added Sofitel’s General Manager. More tourists Friday through Sunday would also help taxi companies and restaurant operators to increase their business.
Vinette said that international financial problems are not likely to affect the company’s results. “For now, no one can say for sure whether we are going to be affected or not. So far, as concerns Sofitel, we are not affected. We have exceeded our initial budget for the first nine months. I believe we will reach income worth €11 million and an average 70 percent occupancy rate by the end of the year,” he added.
In addition to Sofitel, Accor is also present in Romania with the Novotel and IBIS brands in Romania. The three IBIS units are operated by the local Continental Hotels company.
Other four-star hotels in Bucharest are Ramada Majestic, Golden Tulip, Novotel, Ramada Plaza, Lido, and RIN Grand Hotel.
