What is the hotel industry prioritizing this year?
The core trend from the past endures. What’s happening now? The country remains economically closed, yet travel persists in limited forms. Travelers from Russia, for example, continue to visit for geopolitical and economic reasons. In practice, St. Petersburg often substitutes for certain European destinations. When someone wants to see the Louvre, they might opt for the Hermitage; when Paris is the goal, St. Petersburg can become the choice. The city holds a special position and can be viewed as a higher priority than Moscow in some contexts.
Why is St. Petersburg seen as more attractive than Moscow?
St. Petersburg draws visitors from Moscow. Moscow lacks the same tourism pull for this purpose. The city acts as a nearby counterpart within a large metropolitan cluster. Today many visitors from Moscow are mobile, active, sociable, and financially capable. That connectivity is a meaningful advantage because links between St. Petersburg and Moscow run strong. Petersburg is a classic weekend destination. It isn’t usually a place for an entire holiday; two or three days cover the trip, and visits are frequent.
Some readers ask: but your hotel seems geared toward foreign guests. Who will visit this year?
The industry is set up to host guests from all backgrounds. It does not matter whether a guest is Russian or foreign. Summers once saw roughly 20 percent Russian guests and 80 percent foreigners, but that balance has shifted. April and May showed robust demand after a tough March. People adapt quickly; they seek emotional renewal and then travel as soon as spirits recover.
Will guests from other countries still arrive?
The region welcomes travelers from friendly nations. In prior years, visitors from Arab countries, India, China, Southeast Asia, and South Korea appeared. Some guests present unique requests. Can these needs be met smoothly?
The hotel does not rely on mass tourism. Large groups historically came through online aggregators, and that dynamic has shifted. Regarding Chinese travelers, group bookings behave differently from individuals booked via online platforms. Individual travelers from China bring substantial spending power and travel frequently to Western Europe and the Old World. Their consumption habits differ from those of travelers from other regions and reflect distinct cultural expectations.
Will sanctions drive foreigners away?
The strongest draw for travelers remains affordability. Ordinary tourists are not deterred by sanctions. It is possible that some visitors from Central and Western Europe will travel this year if visa rules are reasonable. The priority is to attract a broad, solvent audience, with Western Europe and the United States continuing to represent high purchasing power.
The last few years have been tough for hospitality. How did the sector cope with the epidemic?
How did the outbreak affect operations?
The crisis struck suddenly, marked by the cancellation of a major economic forum and border closures. The shock forced rapid change. A smaller hotel can move faster than a large network, and that speed proved vital. Networks chose to shut down; the hotel industry focused on resilience. Around 200 staff members needed support, so the goal shifted to survival at any cost.
What actions kept the operation afloat?
Group effort and quick adaptation were essential. A creative solution emerged during the peak crisis: guests could self-isolate within the hotel for a monthly fee, effectively turning the property into a residential setup. Guests carried on with daily routines, sharing meals in common spaces and socializing in the courtyard, much like a sanatorium or hostel. This approach helped weather the pandemic, though it introduced new challenges about returning guests to normal routines later on.
Twenty years ago, Helvetia opened. Who were the first guests?
The inaugural guest was the press secretary for the Swiss Embassy. Preparations were ready, and the welcome was warm, with a tray of vodka awaiting them in the courtyard. The atmosphere suggested that guests would transition into apartment living. Over time, many guests formed close relationships with the hotel, and some returned year after year. A long-time guest like Max Averin visits for decades, often saying that when the place is full of familiar faces, it becomes home. He envisions time spent in the courtyard, savoring his preferred dish, and feeling anchored by the familiar surroundings.
Which guests were trusted at the launch? Were expectations met?
The team navigated several phases, starting as a budget hotel and evolving into a premium property. Initially, the building hosted a residential setup, effectively a prototype for later aparthotels. An apartment was acquired, renovated, and rented as living space, with neighbors occupying adjacent units.
Why move away from the aparthotel format?
Some guests felt two extra rooms were unnecessary for a one-night stay, perceiving overpayment. In the 2000s, after expanding apartment usage, the owners began a major redesign. A second overhaul followed in 2016 as preparations intensified to reach a new five-star level. The renovation continued through 2018, since residents often stayed long-term and required ongoing updates. The author’s life became a continuous construction project spanning twenty-seven years.
[Citation: Historical notes on hotel development and regional travel trends.]