Interview with Iuliana Tasie – General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord
Written and Published by Andreea Drăgan, Editor Nine O’Clock
In this interview, Andreea Drăgan, Editor at Nine O’Clock, had the privilege of speaking with Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord, a remarkable personality in the tourism industry. With extensive experience in hotel management and an innovative vision, Ms. Tasie will share her insights on the tourism landscape for 2024, including how the hotel has adapted to changes in consumer behavior and the special offers prepared for the holiday season. Additionally, we will explore the hotel’s initiatives in the context of health and wellness, considering the challenges posed by unpredictable weather.
Nine O’Clock: How has 2024 been for Ana Hotels Europa compared to previous years, in terms of occupancy, revenue, and customer satisfaction?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: This year, 2024, marked an important milestone in the evolution of Ana Hotels Europa. The first three and a half months were dedicated to the complete renovation of the rooms and up-grades of the public areas and spa, 21 years after the hotel first opened, under Ana Hotels brand.
In addition to repositioning ourselves in the market as an upscale product, we needed to adapt to new market trends in pricing, enhanced services, and customer satisfaction. Despite the renovations, we maintained good occupancy level, while also increasing prices to reflect the new investment. We were pleased to receive positive feedback, particularly from our loyal guests, who appreciated both the product and the quality of the services provided.
Thanks to the renovations, we attracted more younger guests, who provided us with fresh insights into their needs and expectations—important aspects to incorporate into our future total hotel strategy.
Nine O’Clock: What recent trends have you identified in tourist preferences?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: We were pleased to see that the market continues the trend from last year, with increasing demand for quality services and a focus on experiences rather than just a vacation or business stay. We’ve also noticed a rise in younger guests, particularly couples seeking a mix of relaxation, recreational activities, and modern facilities.
For summer stays, bookings often come last-minute, typically 1-7 days before arrival. However, early bookings for package deals have been highly valued, especially for longer stays and those including full spa or F&B services.
Guests show strong interest in personalized offers, whether through spa treatments, wellness activities, or local excursions. The demand for digital amenities, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, streaming platform access, and advanced digital services, has grown significantly.
In the spa area, the preference for manual therapies over equipment-based treatments remains strong, as nothing can replace the personal connection and emotional exchange between the guest and the therapist. At the same time, there’s a growing appreciation for services using natural, organic products without preservatives or enhancers. Young spa-goers, in particular, are increasingly conscious of environmental health, reflecting their education and concern for nature.
Nine O’Clock: What types of events and leisure activities have you organized this year to attract tourists?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: Analyzing the trends mentioned above, we quickly adapted and introduced new packages and enhancements for our visitors, including:
Extended Wellness and Spa Packages: These include detox programs and treatments based on natural resources, available at the spa or in our unique Techirghiol pool concept, which recreates the lake’s natural environment. We also introduced Royal Thai Massage, based on Ayurvedic healing traditions, to strengthen the immune system and balance energy. On the beauty side, we added a new holistic facial and body relaxation ritual from the renowned Swiss organic brand, ANANNE—Petro Ultimate Experience.
Family Vacation Enhancements: We introduced additional services, such as a spa voucher for parents and educational activities for the little ones, at Kids Club Europa, led by specialized staff. For children, we offer visits to Constanța Dolphinarium, Paradis Land Neptun, and Jurasica Adventure Theme Park Neptun.
F&B Innovations: We launched a seasonal menu featuring healthy, local, and organic ingredients, along with themed evenings that include tastings and culinary demonstrations. This season, we also introduced the “Sharing Menu,” a signature concept across all Ana Hotels restaurants. The Sharing Menu enhances the dining experience by encouraging guests to sample multiple dishes in a convivial, social setting. This approach aligns with current gastronomic trends, promoting food-sharing as a way to enjoy meals with loved ones. Additionally, it helps reduce food waste and encourages responsible, sustainable consumption. Alongside these innovations, we also hosted special events like themed evenings (Latin, Greek, Romanian) with live music, featuring well-known Romanian artists.
Nine O’Clock: What preparations and special offers do you have for the holidays? How do you plan to differentiate yourselves from other hotels in the area?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: Ana Hotels Europa Eforie Nord is excited to offer a range of special preparations and packages for the upcoming holiday season. We have meticulously curated unique experiences to ensure our guests enjoy a memorable stay.
Holiday Preparations and Special Offers:
Christmas Package: Guests can indulge in a festive three-night stay, which includes a sophisticated Christmas dinner, relaxing spa treatments, and access to our wellness facilities. The serene coastal setting adds to the charm, creating a magical holiday atmosphere.
New Year’s Eve Celebration: We will host a glamorous New Year’s Eve party inspired by the Roaring Twenties, featuring a grand gala dinner, live music by TIBI SCOBIOLA BAND, and a spectacular Anna Lesko Show on January 1st. Our New Year’s Day brunch will also include traditional delicacies, ensuring a delightful start onto 2025.
What sets Ana Hotels Europa apart from other hotels in the area is our commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience. We focus on personalized service, offering tailored holiday experiences that cater to individual preferences. Our elegant dining options, luxurious accommodations, and serene seaside location create a unique atmosphere that combines relaxation with festive celebration. Additionally, our themed events and entertainment ensure that each holiday experience is distinct and memorable.
- As the weather changes, how do you adapt your services and packages to meet customer needs?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord:Climate change will undoubtedly impact tourism, and we have already implemented actions to enhance comfort and guest experience at our location:
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- The newly updated temperature control systems in the rooms ensure optimal thermal comfort for our guests while helping us reduce energy waste during the low season.
- We extended the use of outdoor facilities, including the two swimming pools and beach setup, until October.
- We are continuously developing new events on the restaurant terrace and in the garden, adding features that allow guests to enjoy outdoor spaces even during the colder seasons.
- Our spa facilities are highly promoted, offering guests the opportunity to combine a healthy, relaxing break with pleasant strolls along the beach.
Nine O’Clock: What types of treatments does the hotel’s SPA offer, and which ones are the most popular among customers?
Ana Health Spa combines health, relaxation, and beauty in a modern, unified concept. We offer medical recovery therapies using unique natural resources like Techirghiol’s sapropelic mud, salt water, therapeutic springs, and alpine plants. These are complemented by conventional therapies (TECAR, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, laser, drainage, etc.), water therapies, and personalized physical therapy programs, both in the gym and saltwater pools. These therapies work in harmony with wellness treatments aimed at stress reduction, such as traditional massages and personalized anti-aging rituals, all designed to restore the body’s physical, mental, and emotional balance.
Techirghiol mud, renowned as one of the world’s best therapeutic muds, is used in baths, warm wraps, massages, and the ancient cold-mud treatments of the Techirghiol Pool. The most popular therapies remain those using natural healing resources—sapropelic mud and salt water—through baths, wraps, and massages. Massages inspired by Ayurvedic medicine, as well as facial and body treatments using top cosmetic brands products are also highly sought after.
Proximity to the sea, a serene atmosphere with zen music, a team of dedicated professionals, and attractive pricing are just some of the reasons we invite guests to visit us during the off-season. Whether seeking treatment for specific ailments, weight loss, rejuvenation with Gerovital, or simply a relaxing break, an experience at Ana Health Spa will refresh and revitalize both body and mind, offering the ultimate well-being experience.
Nine O’Clock: How do you collaborate with the local community to promote tourism in Eforie Nord?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: Ana Hotels is actively involved in the tourism sector through our membership in FIHR (Federation of the Hotel Industry in Romania) and OPTBR (Organization of Spas Owners in Romania). We contribute with our knowledge and support of several key projects, such as promoting Romania’s national tourism offer on the international market, advancing digitalization programs, and developing new CRS concepts.
We are also committed to developing the destinations where we operate by helping the local community professionalize staff recruited from nearby areas and by protecting the natural environment—reducing waste and returning used mud and salt water back to the lake. Additionally, we support local authorities in promotional efforts and charitable activities.
Nine O’Clock: What plans do you have for the near future of Ana Hotels Europa? Are there any new initiatives or projects in progress that you can share?
Iuliana Tasie, General Manager of Ana Hotels Europa in Eforie Nord: The main drivers of our year-round business are corporate events and spa facilities. We were pleased with how the corporate segment responded to our updated offerings, noting the return of large, complex events with higher demand for services. Key factors include the presentation in the conference area, enhanced visuals, online accessibility, and digitization.
Next year, we plan to invest in new equipment, digitalize our offer presentation, and expand inventory to accommodate large events in both indoor and outdoor hotel spaces.
There is growing demand for sustainable business practices, especially in spas, where natural and organic treatments are increasingly popular. Products and services that support healthy aging and longevity are also on the rise, driven by advances in preventive medicine, telemedicine, and anti-aging research.
To align with these trends, we will focus on continuous staff training in the latest spa techniques and trends. We will introduce new treatments and technologies to meet evolving customer needs and preferences, with a strong commitment to sustainability through the use of organic products, energy efficiency, and responsible waste management.
Nine O’Clock: Thank you for these answers and for taking the time to participate to this interview!
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