In conversation with Oliver Hutten, General Manager, Capri Tiberio Palace (Exclusive Interview)

How did the property perform last year and what are your expectations for this year? 

Here at Capri Tiberio Palace, we focused on providing a memorable stay experience to our guests and TAs to engage and keep in contact to establish a long lasting relationship.

The year 2022 was for the entire industry a very busy year and exceptional revenues were generated year after two years of Covid pandemic. We expect similar, if not better, results for 2023.

Do you anticipate a change in the consumer profile?

We are delighted to have a very higher percentage of returning guests to the Capri Tiberio Palace year by year. The North American market has returned to the same levels as prior of Covid, the Brazilian market is also back, and, probably it will take a little bit longer to welcome the Australian market back. We have already participated in a very fruitful road show last month in Australia.

Last year we welcomed many honeymooners which kept the statistic a bit younger, whereas this year we feel the average guest will be slightly older. The Middle Eastern market has also returned in larger number and we expect several key European markets to remain strong.

Do guests spend less? 

In 2022 our concierge team was very busy with a strong demand on private yachts, transfers, etc. It was very challenging to book popular restaurants and beach-clubs on Capri on a last minute request. We could see that people were aiming for a more active life post Covid.

What is your view on the evolution of rates? Compared to last year, do you foresee a resistance to rates? 

Like other sectors, our industry has been facing sharp increases on fuel, gas, food and labour costs – which reflected on the rate calculation in 2022 and as well for 2023.

We consider a shorter booking window for reservations in 2023 than to 2022. We believe that we offer the correct rates for the quality and demand and believe in a robust market 2023. Luxury consumers are more and more focused on value.

Capri Tiberio Palace has the highest product standards (fully renovated) with some novelties introduced this year. Tell us more. 

Executive Chef Nello Siano is here with us at Capri Tiberio Palace for the fourth year. We were also able to bring on board an outstanding Pastry Chef, Mamun Mattuber. Also, since 2022, our restaurant Terrazza Tiberio has been registered in the Michelin guide. Our guests and visitors highly praise our food and the excellent service of our restaurant, with some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Capri.

How important is it for the destination to generate visibility / awareness through grand scale events? 

In 2022 Capri hosted about 100 big events from birthday parties, weddings to luxury fashion shows. Jennifer Lopez performed at a fashion fund-raiser event in ensuring maximum international visibility for Capri. We feel that we will have a similar amount of events as we had had in 2019.

What about an overall upgrade of the island’s luxury hotel sector? 

Over the last years there have not been many changes in the luxury hotel sector, however we see an increase of rooms in the B&B and four star hotel segment. Refurbishing projects are very challenging on the island Capri due to logistics and lack of labour resources.

Staffing has remained a challenge this year too. What has been your approach in nurturing and motivating talent? 

There is a well known philosophy in our industry, ladies and gentlemen treat ladies and gentlemen. We focus to create a trustful, open and very respectful conversation right from the

first contact of a potential candidate and to keep the level of communication, respect and trust from the moment of the on boarding to the moment the employee leaves the Capri Tiberio Palace. We have an appraisals /appreciation program and do monthly communication meetings, further we keep an open door policy.

How important is it to achieve and maintain consistency in both service and product?

It is vital to constantly monitor and focus our services, to be in contact with the guests with the aim to constantly improve your services, to fulfil their wishes and desires.

The attention and communication create a deep trust and the guests wish to return or will recommend us to others, which is the most efficient publicity and most important value a hotel has to focus on.

Capri Tiberio Palace is part of Shedir Collection 

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