“We don't have the amount yet, but there will be an increase [in wages]. There will be an increase, without a doubt, higher than inflation, all inclusive, the bonus, the subsidies,” he explained.

Dioniso Pestana was speaking in Funchal, Madeira, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Pestana Hotel Group, whose origins date back to 1972, when his father, Manuel Pestana, opened the first hotel, the current Pestana Carlton, in the capital.

“This year, if it goes well – a month and a half to go – everything indicates that we will reach 500 million euros in revenue”, he said, stressing that it is the “best year ever”.

The businessman explained that, in 50 years of activity, the group only recorded losses – around 32 million euros – in 2020, following the measures to contain the covid-19 pandemic.

“We had losses, we had never had them in our history, and then this year was a bonanza”, he highlighted, adding that everything points to the fact that 2023 will also “be good”, at least during the summer.

Dionísio Pestana clarified that the group currently owns 108 units in 16 countries, providing a total of 12,500 rooms and employing 5,500 employees.