May 18, 2021, 6:28 p.m.
Tyler job
Posted: May 18, 2021 at 6:28 pm
Updated: May 18, 2021, 6:41 pm
LA CROSSE AREA (WKBT) – Our hotels are still trying to make up for lost sales in a financially difficult year.
However, La Crosse’s tourism guides say hotel occupancy actually increased slightly compared to 2019 around this time, around two percent.
It’s hard for a hotel to stay busy when you don’t have enough people to travel.
“We just want to bring the travelers back here,” said Lynn Zielke, who works in corporate sales and guest services at Best Western Plus-La Crescent.
It’s even harder when the hotel you work at is new.
“We’re about two years old this month,” said Zielke. “Our occupancy was not what we would have wished for in the first year and a half.”
COVID is slowly ending its grip, which only means more people are leaving the home.
“I definitely hope that we are busy,” said Zielke. “You know, I mean, that’s our goal.”
But there is one caveat.
“We are always looking for people who are willing to work,” said Zielke.
She says the number of staff at the hotel is reasonable right now.
“We have what we need, but it’s always nice to have a backup,” said Zielke.
Other hotels in the La Crosse area do not have this luxury.
“Our tourism partners are doing everything they can to ensure they are delivering the quality and level of service they need,” said AJ Frels, Executive Director of Explore La Crosse.
Frels says now is a good time to submit an application.
“Therefore, at this point in time, there is a great need for people to keep people busy,” said Frels.
And it is probably best if our hotels start hiring quickly and effectively.
“All the signs show that over 90 percent of the population is ready to start traveling in the next six months,” said Frels. “People are eager to get out there and get started.”
A well-deserved treat for an industry that cannot survive without visitors.
“I’m thrilled,” said Zielke.
Zielke says hotel bookings are also increasing as more and more people are postponing their weddings from last year to this summer.
The Best Western Plus is connected to the La Crescent Area Events Center, a popular venue for wedding receptions.
Many hotels in our area have vacancies on Indeed.com. including reception, housekeepers, waiters and laundry.
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