Location, Location, Location – and More
Interview with Flavio Gomes, Managing Director of Hotel IBIS Sion
Freshly renovated, modern rooms at an attractive price, a restaurant praised highly by critics and guests, a convenient location right off the highway and near famous ski resorts, and a team that cares for the guests’ well-being in a friendly and discreet manner – anyone who finds a hotel in Switzerland with these features should consider themselves lucky. Hotel IBIS Sion delights with exactly these characteristics.
Behind the Hotel IBIS in Sion, there have been difficult times. The pandemic was challenging, added to that, the former management left the hotel – taking many employees with them. For the IBIS in Sion, new opportunities emerged during the crisis. In December 2022, Flavio Gomes became the new, committed managing director – someone who has held various positions in the gastronomy and hotel industry and knows the sector and its special needs very precisely.
With a new team by his side, Flavio Gomes has brought a breath of fresh air into the hotel. Taking over the management of IBIS Sion is just the first step.
New Team, New Chic
The IBIS Hotel is part of the internationally known Accor hotel group – a partnership with many benefits. "We naturally benefit from being part of a strong group, but operate completely independently from Accor and make our own decisions," explains managing director Flavio Gomes. "Our property is a franchise hotel of the group, owned by private shareholders."
The hotel, which opened in 1987, is the oldest of the group in Switzerland. After a comprehensive renovation, the 48 rooms and three conference halls now impress with modern, simple design. "IBIS hotels have always been known for functionality," says Flavio Gomes. "That has not changed. At the same time, completely new standards were introduced and visually a lot has changed. We are pleased that the feedback from our guests is consistently positive."
20 Minutes to the Slopes
Guests usually stay for one to two days; during the week, it's mostly business people, sales staff, or field engineers, while families from Switzerland, France, Germany, or Austria visit on the weekend. They appreciate the proximity to well-known Swiss ski resorts like Crans Montana, Verbier, Anzère, or 4 Vallées, which are just a 20-minute car journey away.
"Hotels located directly in the ski resorts are generally much more expensive," says Flavio Gomes. "With our strategically optimal location and excellent value for money, we offer many an interesting alternative."
In autumn, many wine lovers come to Sion. The place is situated in the middle of one of the most important wine-growing areas in Switzerland and invites visitors to exciting wine tours in the region. Culture and music lovers also get their money's worth here. Once a year, the festival ‘Sion sous les étoilesʼ takes place, attracting visitors from near and far.
With its own restaurant in the house, the Hotel IBIS Sion has another ace up its sleeve. Not only hotel guests appreciate the exquisite cuisine of the house. "Our restaurant enjoys an excellent reputation, so many guests come from outside," says Flavio Gomes. "For the Vice Chief of the IBIS Group, who was recently a guest, our restaurant is the best in the entire group. A compliment that we are very pleased about." The economic success of the restaurant is also evident; unlike usual in the hotel industry, it is completely self-sustaining.
Together for the Region and the Future
The new strategy of the house is not only expressed in modernization. Topics such as digitalization and environmental protection have also gained importance under the new management. "IBIS has been working on digital transformation for a long time, coupled with concepts for saving energy," says Flavio Gomes. "In March this year, we introduced wooden room cards equipped with a QR code. All important information about the hotel can be easily accessed. In addition, we are pursuing a Zero Plastic strategy and are working on Zero Carbon; plastic is already no longer an issue in the restaurant and all rooms. For example, we no longer have plastic cups."
The strategy will continue to be pursued consistently in the future; it will be evaluated whether a photovoltaic system is possible, as well as other projects. "Digitalization and environmental protection are high priorities in the company's philosophy," emphasizes Flavio Gomes. "Contrary to common belief, digital processes do not replace people. On the contrary. By using these technologies, our staff have more time to take care of the guests; digitalization can simplify and improve work processes. I want to intensify the exchange with the guests in the future and at the same time strengthen the regional roots of the house. That is why we are a member of a private hotel association that has set itself this task. We want to advance tourism in the region and are therefore in close exchange with winegrowers, municipalities, and politicians. Hand in hand, we want to strengthen the region and together set new accents."