Desperate summer prompts Rodd Hotels to consider floor closures

“We’ve had a desperate summer, compared even to the year that the Scotia Prince stopped sailing. We will be tightening our belts where and as required,” said President & COO, John Cudmore.

The Rodd Grand Hotel has 138 rooms; the Rodd Colony Harbour Inn has 65.

Cudmore says the move would be for the sake of saving energy and that the decision will be made after examining business levels. “Any adjustments that we make to the property will be such that we can react quickly with the onslaught of new business,” he said.

Although management has considered this measure in the past for energy savings and housekeeping efficiencies, floors have never been closed before. “We normally don’t do too bad in the wintertime with the support of local people with meetings and banquets. Hopefully we can count on that again this winter. We do have to measure exactly what’s on the books,” said Cudmore.

He added that he does not expect any more layoffs than is traditionally experienced during the off-season, even if floors were closed. “We’re certainly fortunate, we have a good group of loyal staff and those are the folks we feel bad about in the summertime, that’s the time they normally get their hours and gratuities associated with good business levels. It’s tough on them more than anybody. This winter hopefully won’t be much different than last winter,” he said.

Cudmore added that one of the biggest concerns is that they are not sure that next summer will be any better in the tourism industry. “We’re working with Bay Ferries. We want to try to get those foot passengers staying overnight in Yarmouth. We have to step up the level of aggression,” he said.