Anšlaginis weekend: races filled Palanga hotels, but August is still empty

“Of course, racing does its thing. Runners meet earlier, not just for the weekend, Tuesday through Wednesday. It has its own equipment, mechanics and everything in between. They really feel like hotels, occupations have increased, the weekend is busy in almost all of Palanga. Also, the weather is so good, improved, that it looks like summer. Many people will be in cafes, restaurants should feel. It’s fun, but when it comes to not competing on the weekend, trends have shown that guests tend to book the following week, the image is no longer late, just individual bookings. Certainly not in August, there is no way to watch the video, ”says Ingrida Valaitienė, director of the Palanga Hotel and Restaurant Association.

According to her, the abundance of advance reservations was increased by the stays of foreigners. This year, guests did not come to the resort and canceled or did not plan their nights because there are no longer any festivals, conferences or other events.

According to the woman, the situation is determined by both the climate and the pandemic and the fact that almost only compatriots are on vacation at the complex. Vacation planners monitor the forecasts, the virus situation and are reluctant to commit and pay in advance for a long stay on their calendar.

Prices have dropped

Currently, mid-summer prices are valid in Palanga, it is the heat of the season. It is true that prices are slightly lower than last year.

According to I. Valaitienė, a bed and breakfast in a three-star hotel costs 80-100 euros, in a four-star hotel 100-130 euros. Some hotels include additional services, such as a visit to the pool. This weekend, race prices have increased 10 percent at some hotels.

“Hotels, trying to compete with each other, having lost foreign markets, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries, cut prices. Employment was not as good on business days as last year. In trying to compete, attract a customer, prices are lower, ”said I. Valaitienė.

The weekend is full

Kristupas Šliogeris, manager of the Hotel Palanga Seagull 15 minutes He said that all of July was full at the hotel, and racing weekend nights were sold out much earlier.

“It just came to our attention then. When the weather got drunk, there were days off and the race weekend was sold out well in advance. It’s the biggest thrill of the summer, with people enjoying both the weather and the event. Having booked well in advance this weekend, I think there are no more places than just us. Prices are currently unadjusted, ranging from 75 to 500 euros. Yes, this is the price of the Royal Tower Apartments with a panoramic balcony over the pines Such high season prices. In winter, some rooms cost half, starting at 30 euros, “said K. Schlioger.

It is the biggest thrill of the summer, with people enjoying both the weather and the event, the hotel manager said.

The manager also notes that previously, in May, rooms were sold out until the end of summer, only dates remained, and currently vacationers for more than 2-3 weeks are not looking for hotel rooms.

“Everyone is afraid, even if they make a reservation, they don’t want to pay an advance.” Reservations for a shorter period. Looking at the weather, the situation. One week, two weeks before buying. August is sold out and is now hanging, ”said the hotel manager.

This hotel did not lower prices compared to last year. Currently, most of the tourists are Lithuanian. Schlioger is happy with that. Compatriots are said to be rediscovering the complex, breaking the stereotypes formed.

“A lot of people looked at it with ridicule, a bad tone, a bad style complex. Palanga has changed in the last 5-10 years, it needs to be discovered. It is no longer a 90s resort, but an elegant, beautiful and comfortable one. It is very remarkable that people have changed a lot, it is nice to hear it. Nida, in my head, is stagnating and Palanga is making a lot of progress, ”said the manager.

Many people looked on with mockery, bad tone, bad resort style. Palanga has changed in the last 5-10 years, it needs to be discovered, says K. Šliogeris.

The private sector is also happy.

Next weekend he is also satisfied with the private sector, which unites rooms, apartments and country houses for rent in Palanga. Irena Švanienė, director of the Association of Hospitallers 15 minutes He said the race “gives Palanga a” great advantage. “

“All rooms are occupied. Few places left. If you drive without a reservation, you risk not finding a place. The race will end and starting Monday, please, we are waiting. It rushes like this all the time. On weekends they were warm, there were guests, there was no air left, there were no people. Palanga and its inhabitants depend 99 percent on Mr. God. If the farmers want rain, we don’t want it at all, “laughs I. Švanienė.

According to her, the private sector has not reduced prices this season, and the scope is very large. You can find a room for only 15 euros for two with “sleepers and disappearances”. These are loved by young people who save money on entertainment.

“But you can pay 50 and 100 euros. This is a room with a shower, bedding, towels, hotel type. Hotels are even more expensive for tourists. Prices are the same as last year, in some cases even more high. I don’t see anything surprising, orienting myself to the situation. He was a son-in-law on a business trip to Cyprus, he said that there were only empty hotels, so we still have nothing to complain about, “said the woman.

I.Švanienė says it is not surprising that people are not in a hurry to book apartments, because the situation is determined by both the weather and the virus.

“I don’t see anything surprising, the situation itself dictates that it needs to be done. It starts to rain again COVID-19This is what you can ask for … People are observing the situation, if everything is fine, they can order. Supply exceeds north demand times. See how many villas you have entered in Palanga! Inhumanly a lot, but cheaper than not going on vacation, because the people were already only June for them, a couple of hot weekends. Julio is average, I would not say bad, my God. Everyone wins to survive even ten months instead of nine. Divide what you earn until next season. Only as the quota has changed, there are practically no Russian speakers. Russian-speaking, Belarusians were the base, even the decline of the Poles, few Latvians, more Estonians. Latvians probably choose Ventspils, where it is cheaper, ”said I. Švanienė.