Palanga’s former entertainment business: this year’s goal is not to make a lot of money, but to survive | Deal

Although it is common in Palanga to hear a true mix of nations during the holiday season, this year is different. Most of the tourists in the complex are Lithuanian citizens. Although some owners say they are receiving visitors from Latvia or Estonia, D.Drungilas assures that the latter have not yet been heard on the streets of the city.

The businessman is dedicated to renting bicycles and bicycles. If in the past many clients were foreigners, their income also decreased. The amusement park for children run on J.Basanavičiaus Street receives visitors, but not as much as last year.

“Unambiguous (foreigners missing, – aut. Past). Each other, although there were many of them. We had many Latvians and Estonians in the hotel, and now only Lithuanians. If the weather is good and there are no explosions with coronavirus, no there are fires, we hope everything is fine. ” 15 minutes he said.

Aim to survive

D.Drungilas, who owns a bike, a bicycle, a café, children’s entertainment, and hotel businesses, said the season usually begins in March-April. However, when the government imposed quarantine on the country on March 16, all plans immediately collapsed.

“The anxiety was huge, the forecasts were pessimistic. If the growth of the sick had continued in June, the public fear would have increased, nobody would drive because they would be careful, they would save, then it would be completely bad. Now that it was not a completely bad situation” she said, assuring him it could have been worse.

According to the businessman, to this day he intends to maintain the business until the next season, guarantee employee salaries, be able to cover credits and pay taxes.

Investment rejected

In addition, this year it is planned to substantially renovate the amusement park and invest between 50 and 100,000 in new facilities. euros However, after the quarantine was announced and uncertainty arose, these investments had to be abandoned.

“It just caught our eye then. It has survived, but not as great as it was in March, April, when we really thought we would have to think very seriously about the future of business. We were going to renovate the entire park, but we realized that we would face the resources that we will need during the summer, ”said D. Drungilas.

According to D.Drungilas, they wanted to completely renovate the trampolines, the stairs and offer new equipment. It is also planned to digitize certain processes and invest more in marketing. It is true that part of the trampolines were replaced because they were ordered before the pandemic.

“We did not become more modern, we wanted to modernize ourselves. Certain options, entertainment, attractions had to appear on the trampoline and in the park, but we just did not buy them. But it is good that at least we have not ordered, I am happy about that,” he assured. .

According to D.Drungilas, the peak of visitors is expected so far and he deliberately does not calculate how much he has suffered due to the quarantine.

“The calculation would be painful now. We deliberately don’t do this so it doesn’t hurt too much because there are no results. We are focused on the goal, on the work, on the projects we want to do, ”he said.

Also, compared to last year, 20-30% Less interest in bike rental.

“Maybe people will save, bring theirs. It is very difficult to speak now because everything works out during St. John’s Week. If you drill, then you drill. Now that the weather was like after Joniniai, we will see what will happen after them”, D. Drungilas is waiting.

Wait good time

It is true that the businessman continues to be positive and believes that the Lithuanian coast should recover in July-August. At the same time, however, he notes that this will depend not only on whether a second wave of the disease occurs earlier, but also on good weather.

“It just came to our attention then. Or maybe everything will be fine, right now that anxiety, people are redistributing expenses a little bit and allowing a little bit different. But so far in June, let’s see what happens in July and August. There will be weather, I think everything will be normal.

Of course, if there is no air, there will be nothing: rural tourism will be empty, Palanga will be empty. We are now very sensitive to the weather as there are no foreigners who plan a vacation in advance and have booked in advance. And now it all depends on the weather, “he said.

This year’s season differs from the others in spontaneity, D.Drungilas noted. With no foreigners planning vacations and booking hotels in advance, the local company received many spontaneous last-minute clients in June.

“According to the hotel, we note that in good weather, Lithuanians drink and reserve. There is no air, it is empty, “he said.