The current CEO, Ismo Mäkinen, started managing Kultahippu hotels in December 2011. A small hotel with, at that time 30 rooms (now 72 rooms), and Ismo started a major renovation of the hotel. The website and various aspects of marketing were also improved. However, at the same time, the hotel grappled with the use of old and outdated technology for managing bookings and check-in processes. Since COVID-19 struck, the hotel experienced a significant downturn, resulting in a dramatic drop in the number of guests. This unfortunate circumstance led to substantial layoffs of hotel staff. Ismo stepped in and did everything from welcoming guests, cleaning hotel rooms, to making breakfast – everything that was required to keep the hotel live. There were very few guests, but during this slower time, Ismo was able to focus on building new relationships and contacts with the Asian market. A couple of Singaporean travel agencies were approached, and one agency decided to send two test groups of tourists to Hotel Kultahippu. The hotel received great guest feedback and that was really the start of a new era for Hotel Kultahippu. During the slower pandemic time, Ismo also reached out to Planet to discuss solutions to improve the guest journey even further.