Riding the wave of new investment projects, a record number of weddings and business events, and increased arrivals from all key markets, the Sunčani Hvar hotel company is experiencing the most intensive period of business and record results in the history of the company
Some 25% more overnights were made in the preseason with simultaneous growth of average prices, while total revenues grew by a strong 20%. Since the average occupancy of hotels in May and June was nearly 90%, this year’s preseason was just as active as the very heart of the season.
“Sunčani Hvar has been developing for a number of year direct sales channels on markets of higher purchasing power who have found Hvar to be an unavoidable destination, and these channels were at the forefront in generating income and overnights in the last several years. But at the same time significant efforts were made in the development of advancement of traditional sales channels and experience tourism, while key partners were divided into segments, with the strength to open new markets with joint forces and to intensify tourism arrivals beyond the high season,” said Gordana Tomičić, Management President of Sunčani Hvar.
“After intensive work on the markets and cooperation with Croatian brokerage agencies, in the first six months we are seeing growth from all emitting nations – from Brazil, Australia, Scandinavia to Taiwan, while the markets of the United States and Great Britain have been growing by an incredible 30 and 40%, respectively. The largest growth came from the new market in India, with a 90 percent rise in overnights, an indicator of well-chosen sales tactics,” Tomičić noted.
The company also points out and unavoidable part of the success is a successful strategy of human resources, recognised by the labour market, which saw Sunčani Hvar entering the season with all positions filled and a completed recruitment process which hired over 500 seasonal workers. “Considering the state of the Croatian labour market, our priority was primarily to secure enough candidates in quantity, to enter the selection procedure and fill open positions with quality, so we began the recruitment already at the end of last season. On the other hand, for many years it has been our goal to keep motivated employees and enable them further growth within the company through education programmes and training, and career development plans and mentors for their specialisation. The year-round campaign “Looking for a job? Find a career!” we encourage the development of young forces, meaning our young managers who are in time taking over key functions of the hotel. Almost all of the hotel management, from food and drink and chefs, to the hotel director came from our own staff and regular seasonal workers,” pointed out Blaženka Tomičić, human resources director of Sunčani Hvar.
To house the employees, they renovated a building along the seaside, placed along with Bodul Hotel out of commercial function, in order to have the employees feel more comfortable on Hvar. As part of the care for the quality of life and work conditions and employee satisfaction, employees have three meals per day and free coffee and non-alcoholic drinks, and after work hours they can enjoy social games and special offers in restaurants and bars in Hvar.
A total of 48 work hours are planned in six weekdays, and in accordance to wishes and needs employees can work a maximum of 60 hours. Salaries in Hvar are more than competitive and higher than average in Croatian hotels, along with monthly awards for employees amounting to more than 1.000 kunas per season.
An additional motive are also the guests of Sunčani Hvar, mostly from nations of higher purchasing power, accustomed to rewarding quality and good service. Considering the new investment being prepared for next season, and work intensive periods outside the high season, the increasing numbers of the seasonal workforce will be able to have more than six months of work period, and the most successful individuals will be offered year-round contracts, Sunčani Hvar has reported.
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