A city in luxury fever

Lucerne/Geneva. Luxury is not the same luxury. Insiders have known this for a long time, but CEOs rarely speak of it. In recent times, Reto Wittwer has done so several times in the media and reaped headlines. Indeed, he means it seriously: Kempinski Hotels & Resorts will no longer count more properties than the group is old. In 2013, the luxury hotel group counts just 76 properties. There is still potential. However, he wishes to know nothing of mega pipelines à la Marriott, Hilton, Jumeirah or Mandarin Oriental. This self-limitation is a luxury protection, for Kempinski as well as for the guests. Since Reto Wittwer is absolutely convinced: "At some point, there'll be a Ritz-Carlton too much." A conversation about luxury on Lake Lucerne, in the heart of luxury-spoilt Switzerland, on the outskirts of the "World Tourism Forum" in Lucerne.

Miami. US hotel developers are investing less in luxury properties, as the cost of providing high-end amenities rises and profit margins shrink. This was revealed by an interesting report carried out by Lodging Econometrics, a research and consulting firm in New Hampshire, about the trends in hotel development. According to data research company STR, the RevPAR at luxury properties was 202 USD in 2012, down from the 2007 high of 213 USD. This makes five-star properties competing with four-star hotels which again compete with three-star properties. In the following guest article, Jean Francois Mourier, CEO of Revpar Guru, a company that helps analyze complex hotel data and increasing hotel occupancy and revenues, talks about easy measures to survive this new competition. A topic worth discussing.

Vienna. The "most noble hotel in Vienna" will open its doors in March 2013. Kempinski presented its flagship property on the Viennese Ring this Tuesday: Alongside 152 suites in the hotel body, the roof of the palais will house a further 17. Two restaurants will also generate further revenues.