The news of being the First Tourism Award of the Island of Lanzarote is received with the same emotion as the first award of the Hotel.
All awards motivate and encourage not only the management and the property, but also the entire human team that makes up this group.
What has been the basis of the success of the Hotel Los Fariones?I never tire of saying that it is the treatment provided by the human team. We have clients who came many years ago and now return with their children who are already adults. The Hotel was inaugurated on October 12, 1966, so it has almost 40 years of service, and many people who make up the staff have been working at the Hotel for more than 30 years. That means that it is a team that has known these facilities since their inception, and, more importantly, their clients. He knows the tastes and affection that is given to everyone who comes. Proof of this is that we currently have clients from Spain and Europe who have repeated around 50 or 60 times. For example, yesterday Germans arrived from different cities who meet here, and we have prepared a party for them to make them feel comfortable. We are pleased that they come to Lanzarote and of course to the Hotel Los Fariones.
The stability of the staff suggests that people feel comfortable working at the Hotel, but also that permanence can be reflected in better customer service.
Without a doubt. Our property is constantly aware of us. It is a factor of great motivation for all the staff. In addition, the Rosa family has made a firm commitment to the Hotel's facilities and the improvement of the services it provides. Here the employee is treated with the affection and care of a friend.
Does the Hotel invest in the training of the staff?
We recently launched the Fariones Group Training Plan and we are constantly closing and starting courses. These days, through the Department of Social Affairs of the Cabildo, a wine tasting course was developed. We promote language courses, restaurant improvement courses, as well as gastronomy. We are currently running a Canarian gastronomy course, a month ago we developed an Italian cuisine course and we constantly promote training, especially practical training.
Does the Hotel take into account the results of qualitative research on the attention given to tourists in Lanzarote?
Lanzarote in general provides a good service. We are the envy of many tourist areas. I consider myself a good observer and I usually visit the establishments to know the situation. I believe, and also because it is not only what one values, but what customers contribute, that Lanzarote has, for example, a wider diversity of gastronomic establishments than other neighboring and competitive areas of ours. All of us who are part of the tourism industry are concerned about the service and that concern has translated into a general benefit. When the client leaves, he does not say: I was treated badly at the Hotel Los Fariones or at the bar on the corner. He says: I was treated badly in Lanzarote. Everything that is negative for Lanzarote is negative for everyone in general.
Are you optimistic about the future that awaits the island's tourism industry?
I am always optimistic. Lanzarote has traditionally had a clientele that visits it, but it is true that we lack some infrastructure such as golf courses, and I am not saying to undermine the entire island and make golf courses indiscriminately. We have to present a circuit because every time I go abroad people ask about golf courses and water sports. We have to give an alternative to sun and beach. Sun and beach is 80 percent, but gastronomy also contributes, as well as the complementary leisure offer. We are trying to bring a tennis challenger to Lanzarote because it is a sport that is fashionable and will last. What should be clear is that sports tournaments and the complementary offer should also be for the people of the Island. If you go to Puerto del Carmen in the afternoon you can see the large number of tourists who are dedicated to watching the citizens of Lanzarote play the Canarian ball. I think we also have to promote these activities.
Is the hotel occupancy in Lanzarote at a good level?
If we look at the statistics, they are occupations that many tourist areas would already want. Lanzarote has had normal and adequate occupations in the last five years according to the capacity of the island. There are months that are low, but we have always had them. It must be remembered that the growth of tourism is never greater than 1%. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been saying and repeating this for 30 years. The growth of tourism is 1 to 1.2%, and from there on all are exceptions.
Do you think that "all inclusive" harms the interests of the majority of tourism entrepreneurs?
I think that "all inclusive" is for areas that are not like Lanzarote, but it is a segment that exists and we cannot ignore it. A thorough analysis of the issue must be done before giving an opinion without arguments.
The Lanzarote business community is divided. When it comes to claiming a complementary offer or some other issue, do you not think that it is more productive for tourism employers to go hand in hand to exert greater pressure.
I think that is the aspiration we all have, but I don't know why we can't unite. There are some who cross the road to throw pebbles, although more than pebbles they are already large stones. From our company we are committed to the union because we understand that the benefit is for everyone.
From the point of view of public infrastructure,
What are the pending issues that the Island has?
There is a deficit in roads and we are also in debt in hospitals. I must say that with the coverage that Hospiten Lanzarote gives us, we are saving ourselves in health matters. The business community also has to invest in facilities of that type.
In so many years of work I imagine there will be lots of anecdotes.
They cannot be told because they remain under the umbrella of the professional.
None?
I remember that many years ago Don Adolfo Suárez arrived as President of the Government and I thought he was an unattainable person, but he was not. More than an anecdote it is an experience. An endless number of personalities have passed through the Hotel.