The Slovokian city of KoÅ¡ice, the second largest in the country with a business center that makes up more than nine percent of Slovakia’s GDP, is set to become a high-demand destination. With new flight links from London and
Düsseldorf likely to come this year, the city expects an influx of tourism for weekend trips.
A report from hotel consultancy HVS London predicts that KoÅ¡ice’s surge in tourism is a result of its history, weather, friendliness, and affordability. KoÅ¡ice has also received a cash injection of $84 million at this year’s European Capital of Culture to improve its tourism industry.
While the city boasts good value, boutique-style hotels, larger hotels have also opened recently, including a 170-room DoubleTree by Hilton and a 166-room Hotel Yashim, which together comprise half of the city’s room supply. There are rumors of two further hotels – with an expected 190 rooms – opening in the next two years.
“Occupancy and average rates are currently relatively low in KoÅ¡ice’s hotels, although performance has shown growth since 2009 with occupancy up over fifty percent in 2010 and up again in 2011,” says Veronica Waldthausen, the consulting and valuation analyst for HVS London who penned the report. “RevPAR growth of around three percent was shown in 2012 and we expect further slow and steady growth for the city in 2013.”
