highly selective in the destinations they choose . In addition to exceptional hospitality and leisure offerings , safety will be a priority . I ’ m confident we ’ re in an excellent position today to meet or exceed those expectations .
H : What innovative measures and reimaging opportunities have you introduced to drive revenue at a time like this ? And what ’ s coming next ? AO : Recognizing that our guests want new and different offerings — from heightened COVID-19 safety considerations to a desire for more bespoke activities on the property — we ’ ve taken several key steps to further position Atlantis as the exceptional , world-class hospitality experience they ’ re looking for in a fast-changing travel environment .
Atlantis is undergoing several major renovations right now , and what is coming next is very exciting . We are introducing a new hotel set to debut in 2024 . It ’ s called ‘ Somewhere Else ’ and is the former Beach hotel at Atlantis . We ’ re developing the hotel in partnership with David Grutman of Groot Hospitality . Guests will experience top-tier dining venues , lushly landscaped grounds , access to our gorgeous white sand beaches , multiple pools and recreation areas , luxury amenities and live entertainment .
H : You had to downsize your workforce last year as a costcutting measure . Have you been calling back employees now that business is gradually improving and do you plan to return to pre-COVID levels ? AO : We made the very difficult decision to adjust the size of our team to help drive forward a retooled business strategy and operations that are better aligned with today ’ s fast-changing global hospitality environment . Today , we are better positioned and equipped to capitalize on positive travel trends and navigate challenging travel periods throughout the global pandemic and beyond .
As the largest private employer in The Bahamas , we maintain a deep commitment and responsibility to support our team members , many of whom have worked with us during their entire careers in numerous roles and capacities . We ’ re focused on providing them with the flexibility , training and resources they need to do a great job . This year , for example , we will be introducing more learning and development training programs , and relaunching various employee initiatives to celebrate their pride and success in everything they do .
H : How successful have vaccinations been to drive recovery and revenue ? AO : All team members are required to have received the COVID-19 vaccine or participate in weekly testing . Our pandemic response has gone well beyond vaccinations . Partnering with the Cleveland Clinic , we ’ ve enhanced hotel cleaning practices , social interactions and workplace protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 . The ‘ Atlantis Clean & Safe Promise ’ has helped instill confidence among our guests , team members and the broader community that their health and safety is our top priority .
We ’ re also super-focused on addressing our guest ’ s travel concerns , keeping them up-tospeed and answering their questions regarding travel to The Bahamas . That effort includes providing daily , on-site testing appointments to ease their return travel .
June 2022 hotelsmag . com 99