Spa director Jiří Dědek: More and more Czechs consider spas as an ideal place for a domestic holiday

How do you assess 2022 so far from the perspective of your clients, economically and, for example, the use of accommodation capacities?

Our capacity occupancy and order levels do not yet reach the level of 2019, i.e. the period before the covid measures. We expect the total number of guests to be close to thirty thousand. We have seen a decline in foreign guests in recent years, although Slovaks are gradually returning to us. On the other hand, the interest of Czechs in health and prevention has increased. More and more consider spas as an ideal place for a major domestic holiday. Short stays are also increasing, not only weekends, but also more affordable stays during the working week. At the same time, we are also pleased to see interest in next year's stays, which are now in their peak pre-sale period.

What is the impact of the energy scare?

The rising cost of energy and the rising price of many other commodities is also affecting our company. Every month is different, but on average our operating costs are up 15% to 20% for the ten months of this year. Energy costs are 2.5 times higher than in previous years. This must also be reflected in the price of stays. The year-on-year price increase will be around ten percent. However, the quality of spa care for our patients and guests will not be affected in any way, and we guarantee to provide services to everyone in the appropriate range.

Are you looking for ways to save money?

We have been doing this since the beginning of this year. Specifically, replacing light bulbs and replacing them with LED bulbs, buying more efficient refrigerators and freezers, and installing more efficient window seals. By the end of the year, we will install solar panels on one of our buildings and we are preparing other implementations.

Will the current economic situation have an impact on the number of employees?

Although the current situation is not easy, we will not lay off. However, we cannot guarantee all seasonal workers will have their contracts extended as soon as January 2023.

Can we deny closures of treatment facilities after the New Year or in the winter?

In fact, a few weeks ago it was reported in the media that a number of spa facilities are considering not accepting health insurance patients for treatment starting in January 2023. The Association of Medical Spas of the Czech Republic, of which our company is a member, has distanced itself from these reports. I would like to assure all our patients that our joint-stock company is currently treating patients of health insurance companies and will accept them without any restrictions from January 2023. For example, our largest hotels Palace and Morava will start operating from 2 January 2023. We will gradually open other hotels and guesthouses according to the current situation. We expect to start operating children's hospitals from the beginning of February.

What is the situation with the renovation of the Water Treatment Institute, one of the key current investment projects...

We started the restoration of the Water Treatment Institute and the River and Sun Baths in March 2021. The main goal is primarily to save the exceptional architectural work of Dušan Jurkovič, which is proposed as a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic. We expect that in 2023 the conversion of the entire complex into a museum of composer Leoš Janáček, who often stayed in the spa town, and Dušan Jurkovič, whose buildings influenced the appearance of Luhačovice, will be completed.

What will happen to the original outdoor pool?

The original outdoor pool, which served its purpose until the mid-1990s, will also become part of the exhibition. In addition to the museum exhibitions, which will be a unique testament to the spa and cultural atmosphere of the early 20th century, and facilities for cultural events, the complex will offer a café, refreshments, shops with regional products and, above all, a unique historical backdrop. We expect the investment costs of the project to exceed the hundred million mark by a very large margin. At the end of April and the beginning of May, the spring vase in the Ottovka gazebo was replaced. The new "heart" of one of the most famous Luhačovice springs is made of artificial stone called terrazzo.

We will bring you the continuation of the interview with Jiří Dědek in a week - on Wednesday, December 14.

Categories: Tourism, What to do in Luhačovice, Spa, Hello, Why to Luhačovice, Luhačovice, Spa Luhačovice, Interview