What there is:
Some fabulous hotels in the countryside, with pools, which are great for a long spring or summer holiday, not so good for an out of season holiday or a short break. Car hire becomes essential.
Lots of Bed and breakfasts in towns – varying massively in quality and offering just that – a room and breakfast, no other services. Usually fairly basic.
A wide choice of self-catering accommodation, town and country – again better for longer breaks. There are some hotels in larger towns, mostly in the Valle D’Itria region of Puglia
What is lacking:
Visually appealing, stylish, comfortable and well run boutique hotel style accommodation in towns, particularly in the Salento (where Galatina is)
There have been some recent openings but, frequently, these seem almost like ‘have a go’ or vanity type projects, often run by people who appear to have no industry experience or understanding of what non-Italian visitors may want or like.
Part of the Problem
Historically, Italians only went on holiday in August, maybe Easter, or the odd bank holiday. This is changing, but many places to stay are still geared up for this – offering fewer services at off peak and shoulder season and maybe inadequate heating or bedding for the colder months.
Even though it is evident that there are now lots of visitors to Puglia year round, lower season there is more competition for guests and room prices are lower.
Because of this, and because employment costs in Italy are high, staffing levels outside high season are often not sufficient to provide a good service to guests.
Our solution
We will actively attract guests outside high season by running activites such as cooking schools using spring produce (March), events for the olive harvest (November), Carnevale themed events such as a masked ball (February) etc.
Themed dinners and events will attract both residential guests, as well as holiday makers staying elsewhere and ex-pats
By having multiple income streams – hotel, food, wine, property we will be able to maintain a full staff year round