All-inclusive specialist Club Med has announced the schedule of the reopening of its resorts.
Les Arcs Panorama will open on June 27, while fellow French resorts Opio Provence, Vittel Golf Ermitage, Alpe d’Huez, Valmorel and Grand Massif Samoens Morillon will open on July 4.
La Palmyre Atlantique resort, which is currently undergoing a full renovation, will reopen on July 12
Across Europe, Cub Med’s Pragelato and Cefalu in Italy are to reopen on July 5, Gregolimano, Greece, and Da Balaia, Portugal on July 4, and Palmiye, Turkey, on July 11.
Initially, the resorts will only be open to domestic customers, but Club Med will gradually welcome guests from all over Europe as borders reopen, air connections resume and quarantine measures are lifted.
Resorts will open with Cub Med’s new Safe Together health and safety protocol, validated by its scientific committee, which is comprised of professors, doctors and experts in epidemiology and public health and is in the process of being certified by Cristal International Standards.
Henri Giscard d’Estaing, president of Club Med, said: “We have had two months of experience in managing and operating resorts with reinforced and adapted health measures thanks to the many lessons learned from the reopening of our Club Med resorts in China.
“Thanks to this experience and our ability to adapt to this new context, we will be fully prepared to take care of our guests, providing them with an enjoyable holiday experience whilst ensuring high safety standards.”
Spaces have been redesigned and capacity limited to allow for social distancing, including measures such as having less people in transfer vehicles, digital check-in, extended opening hours for dining areas and distanced tables, and replacing buffets with a la carte services. Outdoor activities have been adapted to fit the social distancing rules.
All staff will be trained to apply the health and hygiene measures adopted at their resort, with specific training for each department provided.
A doctor and/or nurse will be available seven days a week at each resort.
Club Med customer research shows that more than 51% of people plan to go on holiday in the coming months (June-October), with 44% of respondents considering France a priority destination and 30% opting for a mountain holiday. On-site activities (59%), catering/bar services (45%) and childcare facilities (30%) are among the most sought after aspects.
Estelle Giraudeau, managing director for the UK and northern Europe at Club Med, said: “People are dreaming of holidays with freedom and space, and we’re already seeing strong demand, particularly for our summer mountain resorts and 5T spaces. The measures we have put in place will allow our guests to have a stress-free holiday experience and make the most of the chance to get away from it all.”