Carnival Festivities at the Tigaiga

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/krfWrH4OV9A?feature=share

On Wednesday our restaurant team joined in to make sure our guests experienced the joy of the season. The traditional Funny Widows costumes once again brought smiles and laughter, creating a lively and unforgettable atmosphere.

And today, even though the weather surprised us with rain today and the big parade had to be postponed, our spirits remained high! We brought the celebration indoors, filling our reception with laughter, music, and dance – because Carnival is not just an event, it’s a way of life.

Carnival Parade Next Week – We’re Ready!

The Puerto de la Cruz Carnival Parade, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed to next week – but that only means more excitement to come! The streets will soon be transformed into a colorful spectacle of costumes, music, and dancing, as we celebrate together with locals and visitors alike.

We can’t wait to continue the festivities with you – whether at the hotel or on the vibrant streets of Puerto de la Cruz. Viva el Carnaval!

The ceremony was hosted by Ashotel’s General Manager, Juan Pablo González, and was attended by notable figures such as Manuel Luis Méndez, Councillor for Presidency and Territorial Planning of Adeje; Eulalia García, Councillor for Mobility of the Tenerife Cabildo; José Manuel Sanabria, Deputy Minister of Tourism for the Canary Islands Government; and Jorge Marichal, President of Ashotel. Also present were Dimple Melwani, CEO of Turismo de Tenerife, members of Ashotel’s Board of Directors, union representatives, and other industry stakeholders.

Recognizing the Workforce

In his speech, Jorge Marichal emphasized the key role employees play in the success of the Canary Islands’ tourism industry. “You are a fundamental part of our sector. This day gives us an opportunity to value your work. Thanks to you, we can maintain our position in the tourism industry,” Marichal said.

The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques to the honorees, which were handed out by hotel and institutional representatives.

Recognition for Hotel Tigaiga

We are pleased to share that eight members of the Tigaiga team were honored for their more than 20 years of service and dedication. This year, Ashotel recognized:

• Miguel García Bencomo
  Marián García García
  José Luis González Gutierrez
  Carmelo Hernández Rodriguez
  Damián Pérez Guzman
  Manuel García Yanes
  Manolo Cruz Martín
  Ricardo Díaz Díaz

Their commitment and reliability contribute daily to ensuring our guests have a pleasant stay.

A Special Tribute

Another highlight of the evening was a tribute to four key figures from Ashotel’s early years, including Enrique Talg Wyss, who was honored posthumously. His contributions to the development of tourism on the Canary Islands were acknowledged as instrumental.

The Talg family expresses its gratitude to Ashotel for this recognition, which underscores the significance of his efforts in advancing Tenerife as a tourism destination.

Our thanks go out to Ashotel and to all staff members who contribute every day to the success of our industry.

Luis Pérez Rodríguez (Puerto de la Cruz, 1947) is living history of tourism in Puerto de la Cruz since its beginnings in the 60s. Although he has been retired since March 2011, he remains a very important figure for the Talg family, owners of the Tigaiga Hotel and Tigaiga Suites, with whose three generations he has worked. Luis’s story is the story of the Talg family and of personal growth, loyalty, and smiles. His situation was quite common in many families whose father died leaving small children, some of whom had to start working very young to help support the family. At 10 years old, he began to “lend a hand” at the old Martiánez hotel, then managed by Enrique Talg Schulz, who about six years later, in 1963, took him to work at the Tigaiga hotel, already owned by the Talg family. In fact, he is one of the few who has worked with three generations and even knows the fourth. “I worked in the mornings and studied in the afternoons with Don Manuel, the teacher,” he recalls. Although he spent his five decades in the active workforce primarily in Reception, which he directed from a very young age, Luis is familiar with all departments. Today, he has a special relationship with those who are also part of his family. He attends Pilates classes several days a week at Tigaiga Suites and then takes the opportunity to greet his former colleagues. Luis sees artificial intelligence as progress, but he remains focused on human intelligence and kindness as key elements of the hotel business.

?Tell us, Luis, you started working at the Martiánez hotel as a child at the age of 10, when it was managed by Enrique Talg Schulz, the grandfather of the current generation. What was your role and how did you come to work at that hotel?

Well, the truth is, at home we were in trouble when my father died, so some of the five siblings had to start working. Really, at ten years old I could do little, it wasn’t real work, just small tasks like delivering mail, running errands… and not much more. At that time, my case was not so uncommon, there were more children and teenagers helping out in some businesses. My first contract was at 14, and at that time I cleaned windows, worked as a bellboy, and helped guests carry their bags and luggage, swept the sidewalks… I remember there was a water fountain in front of the hotel; I would go, fill the bucket, and take it to Gilberto Cabrera so he could mop.

?And weren’t you studying?

I went to school in the afternoons, with Don Jesús, the teacher; they were actually private lessons. Don Jesús taught many boys my age.

Luis in his early days at the Martiánez hotel with some customers and the hotel maître.

?In 1963, you moved to the Tigaiga hotel, which opened in 1959 and is celebrating its 65th anniversary today. Did you imagine retiring at that same hotel back then?

I came to Tigaiga because Martiánez closed and the Talg family had their hotel finished and in operation, already owned. The truth is, I’ve only worked with the Talg family for about 54 years (smiles).

?At Tigaiga, you took a six-month break to go to Germany and learn the language…

Yes, that’s right. I was fortunate to spend six months in Germany learning German, through some hotel guests who had a bath business, something like today’s spa; I made good use of the time, didn’t go out with the Spaniards and always sought to speak German. At Tigaiga, I asked for special permission during those months for training and got it. And there, I not only learned German, but also worked as a cleaner, chambermaid… swept, made beds, washed kitchens…

Workers at Tigaiga in the 60s.

?Times have changed over these decades. What, in your opinion, has been the hallmark of the place where you have always worked?

I always noticed that this hotel had something special from a professional point of view; compared to other hotels, the staff at Tigaiga were extraordinarily qualified; just in the way we treated the guests, we were unique in Puerto.

?And why do you emphasize that difference so much?

Because this was like a great school, we workers learned the trade in the same hotel, with a unique customer service, I insist. [“How many years have you been here, Yeray?” he asks at that moment to one of the waiters. “22; I started at 17 as a waiter’s assistant and learned the profession here,” he replies]. Look, 22 years, which is quickly said for a young person like Yeray; I mean, this has always been a school, really. Here, everyone taught you, from the boss (Enrique Talg Wyss, father of the current owner generation, Enrique, Irene, and Úrsula) to other professionals.

?But besides that direct approach, from your years of experience, what are two other key factors you think a hotel should have?

Cleanliness, of course, which may sound absurd because it’s taken for granted, but it’s an important value; and alongside that, food, gastronomy is fundamental for a hotel business to succeed.

Luis at the reception of Tigaiga, alongside a hotel waiter in the 70s.

?You, who lived so closely the daily interaction with customers, many of whom you might even see as part of your family, what do you think about all the technology applied to customer service?

All technological advances are fine, but I insist that the most important part of a hotel is the qualification of the staff to serve the guests. We had a phrase years ago that we used a lot: “You have to show your teeth, not to bite, but to show our smile.”

?And with that special treatment, you surely made friends among the hotel guests.

Of course; we got to know all the guests here by name; I have friends in Germany whom I call occasionally and who were hotel guests.

“I knew everything about Tigaiga, even where the shut-off valves were for each area of the hotel” ?Excuse me for insisting on this matter, how do you see artificial intelligence in your philosophy of customer service? Does it fit in?

Well, the truth is, personally I believe that the essence of human interaction will be lost. This talking to a machine and “goodbye, have a nice day,” I don’t know if I see that… Human intelligence is completely linked to kindness.

?If you had to name just two fundamental skills for working in a hotel, what would they be?

Well, of course, something I’ve repeated a lot in this conversation, excellent and personalised customer service; and, of course, languages.

?How do you view the new generations in this sector?

Well, quite well prepared in knowledge, but I think they lack a bit of kindness; it’s great to have qualifications, like in Tourism, but there’s something in the way of being, human interaction, and that’s also learned; and this isn’t exclusive to a hotel, but to any other type of business where there’s a relationship with customers.

Who do you recognise from the Tigaiga Team?

You can vote for your favourite mask and also send us your picture – until 19th Feb- to join our carnaval competition 2021!

And do choose your favourite one on our FACEBOOK!

Hotel Tigaiga / Dear Mr. Talg

Our guests have made their decision about which hotels should be counted among the best TUI holiday hotels for the year 2020. You and your team are winners of the TUI Holly 2020. Your hotel is recognized as one of the most popular worldwide. The management and the staff at TUI Germany all warmly congratulate you!

MUCHAS GRACIAS to our clients and staff which have made this possible This means 25 years which we have received this prestigious award!

Famila Enrique Talg

Since 1994, the TUI Holly has been a symbol of the highest appreciation of our mutual guests and offers clients and travel agencies guidance when choosing a holiday hotel.

The holiday is held in memory of the first session of the new regional parliament on May 30, 1983. Since then, the “Día de Canarias” is celebrated on all islands, and throughout the day numerous events take place, with tradition and folklore in the foreground.

Our Tigaiga team always looks forward to this day  proud to present their traditional costumes, to our visitors!