Expo Real in view: A market caught between a lack of transparency and credibility
Dear Insider,
Just 16 days to go until Expo Real in Munich. It's difficult to gauge the mood on the ground; there'll certainly be plenty of discussion. A great deal can already be deduced from today's topics and market movements. Let's get straight into it: The growth of the "Collection" brands run by the major chains is not as strong as one might think – established independent hotels are holding their own (after all, which of them would want to pay expensive franchise fees?) and are entering into partnerships. Preferred Hotels is expanding by 40-50 hotels a year. The family-run business Ueberroth knows how to deal with hotel-owning families. Lead Developer Philippe Weghmann explains which tools, partners and programmes are used to turn independent hotels into long-standing members.
At a conference in the US, Booking.com’s chief financial officer described himself as the "best friend" of small hotels: Independent hotels and small groups account for a third of bookings, whilst chains account for just 10 percent, he says. The situation is different in Europe, as the latest HOTREC distribution figures show. The OTA giant remains super confident: AI won't keep Booking awake at night – because after visiting five platforms, consumers only book with one (of their) brands. ... More
Magazine
Booking’s finance chief stated at a Goldman Sachs conference last week that the group is small hotels' "best friend" - and revealed rarely heard figures and strategic details about the giant. At the same time, European hoteliers published figures about their dependence.
Expo Real 2026
Content Partner
In hotel interiors, design that stands the test of time is essential. It is particularly evident with elements that remain visible at all times – such as switches, sockets and control panels – just how important a clear, consistent system is. The history of JUNG’s LS range began in 1966 with a design that remains as relevant today as ever.
News Mix overview
Marketplace
The British Government intends to give mayors in the regions the option of levying a tourist tax in future. Housing Minister Angela Rayner has set out plans to this effect.
We want sustainability, but… This excuse is heard in many businesses in all sorts of forms. Sometimes it's down to customer preferences; sometimes the effort involved is overestimated. A new toolkit tackles this very issue.
A study has found that 79% of Germans fear the unpredictable risks posed by AI. As a result, experts have now developed a framework to assess the quality and safety of AI systems. TÜV is currently trialling the certification scheme with pilot partners and plans to make it available to businesses from the end of 2026.
The EU has upheld the 2023 ruling and prohibited Booking from taking over a European flight booking portal. The renewed regulation of the industry giant is intended to prevent Booking from further expanding its monopoly.
Please spare a moment!
Four quick questions about how you’re feeling and two questions that many people have been asking themselves today!
HospitalityInside Think Tank HITT, edition 9
Photos from the HITT Think Tank in Brussels
Financial Results
Picked
Subscribe to our magazine and enjoy first-class information that saves you time, with carefully selected topics and expertly researched background information.
Join our exclusive readership – and feel free to join our Think Tank or Expo Real communities too.
We look forward to welcoming you!