Maribor, 28 October (STA) - The future of Hotel Habakuk, a four-star hotel at the foot of the Pohorje skiing slopes in Maribor, has been secured, with the owner's subsidiary taking over operations and safeguarding nearly 50 jobs following a period of uncertainty.
The hotel's owner, Metalka Commerce, has appointed its subsidiary company, Plus minus Hotel, to manage the property. This follows the abrupt departure of the previous German leaseholders, 1912 Hotels SI, weeks ago amid a contract dispute over unpaid rent and investment commitments.
Metalka Commerce director Franc Ziherl confirmed that 49 staff have been transferred to the new management, which is now working to restore normal hotel operations, including its booking systems.
It was also confirmed that ambitious plans to rebrand the hotel as part of the international Hard Rock Hotels chain have been officially abandoned due to unacceptable terms. The hotel will therefore continue to operate under its well-known Habakuk brand, with the team focused on the upcoming winter season.
Future plans include proceeding with stalled renovations and creating new tourist packages that link the hotel with the owner's Vinag wine cellar in the city centre.
The resolution has been welcomed by the Maribor Tourist Board, whose director praised the new team's desire for development.
