September 22, 2023

Burlington Archer Hotel reps on COVID’s toll and future of travel

The Archer Hotel, Burlington’s stylish lodging fronting Middlesex Turnpike’s 3rd Ave. complex, has, like the…

Burlington Archer Hotel reps on COVID’s toll and future of travel

The Archer Hotel, Burlington’s stylish lodging fronting Middlesex Turnpike’s 3rd Ave. complex, has, like the town’s retail and restaurant industries, been deeply impacted by the ongoing pandemic.  Earlier this month, Town Accountant John Danizio told the Board of Selectmen revenue from hotel rooms was down 65{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} over the previous year. While staffing has been cut in response to reduced occupancy, management is optimistic that the traveling public will return as pandemic restrictions continue to be lifted.

Burlington Archer Hotel reps on COVID’s toll and future of travel

Cheryl Gilliam, senior vice president of brands and marketing at LodgeWorks, and Albert Kowalczykowski, the Archer’s general manager, spoke with the Burlington Union about the past year’s impacts on the hospitality industry in general and locally. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How are things with the Archer Hotel right now, as compared to earlier in the pandemic?

Albert: Archer Hotel Burlington is beginning to see glimmers of the return of travelers. Like many of our hospitality counterparts in other hotels and restaurants, our guests are becoming more comfortable with the effectiveness of our diligent protocols and the promise of vaccines.

The Archer Hotel in Burlington has survived lockdown.

Cheryl: The first guest to thoughtfully, cautiously come back is the leisure traveler. They are primarily getting into a car and driving. They have been working from home, teaching from home and they and their children just need a change of scenery. Burlington has been more active in terms of smaller businesses and  business travelers starting to venture out. Many larger companies still have travel restrictions in place, and that is a large piece of our corporate traveling audience.