The announcement of the closure of beaches at the turn of the year in the Baixada Santista, made this Wednesday (23), and the cancellations of New Year's Eve parties brought down the already low expectations of hotels by the end of 2020.
The regression to the red phase, the most restrictive of the São Paulo Plan, between December 25th and 27th and January 1st and 3rd, encouraged a new wave of reservation cancellations, according to Heitor Gonzalez, president of Sinhores (Union of Hotels, Restaurants) , Bars and Similars of Baixada Santista and Vale do Ribeira).
Before the phase change, the occupancy rate was expected to be 60%, he says. He supported the decision by mayors in the region not to join regression to the red phase, and warned of the effect on business if the decree passes. "How are perishable food purchases, and people who were hired to meet the demand of the time? These are usually the best ten days of the year."
In addition to the cancellations, Gonzalez says that there have been no new reservations, as is usually the case at this time.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon