Talking Tourism 81 - 101 on Opening a New Hotel in the Middle of a Pandemic with Kate Bucknell

You've been appointed to your first GM role of a brand new hotel being developed by a local investment group in a regional City.

You're recruiting and appointing staff, and putting the finishing touches  on the property getting ready to welcome your first guests..... .when a global pandemic hits, closing borders and bringing your entire customer market to a sudden halt. 

This is Kate Bucknell's experience when she was appointed inaugural General Manager of the new Hotel Verge in central Launceston.

Armed with years of experience in hotel sales and management, Kate has had to navigate the completely unchartered waters of opening a brand new 86 room hotel in the middle of the most uncertain circumstances ever experienced by the accommodation sector.

In this episode of Talking Tourism Kate shares her experiences with TICTs Luke Martin - how she appointed and then stood down her staff, delayed opening, and then gradually opened rooms as markets resumed.

This is great listening for anyone in the Tasmanian tourism industry,  or in the accommodation sector anywhere.