Editorial

Dear Insiders, Audited results 2009 for the Neue Dorint GmbH are still awaited. Nevertheless, Managing Director Michael H. Goeldner described the current situation of the hotel group. In Croatia, the hotel group Valamar would like to expand further though is failing at legal hurdles. The company has therefore branched out in other directions. In future, it will take on management of external hotels. In Munich, the Serviced Apartment specialist Derag is currently attempted to convert a building into a "zero energy house". "Increase own-production and reduce consumption!" is the motto. After three reports on social media, today's contribution brings the series to a close with reports from more cautious and critical voices. This week, there is a whole wealth of personnel changes to report on as well as the shocking news that, after Cologne, Munich too will also introduce a bed tax. - The full editorial ...

Dear Insiders, These are turbulent times. Trend researchers are now saying that it will stay like this until 2020. "Abnormal normality!" 300 guests attending the "Future Forum" of Design Hotels in Berlin heard an impressive summary of imminent societal changes. Much sounded very logical, encouraging and shocking at the same time.Changes are also brought about by social media. Today, Travel Charme Hotels speak of their experiences. Changes were also seen in the Ecole Hotelière in Lausanne – the new General Director will make amendments though will maintain the practice element at the EHL.Change between Sentido and Sensimar, however, is not in sight. Quit the opposite, the brands remain very much the same. The Thomas Cook brand Sentido presented its news and plans to the media. But everything seems so similar to TUI's Sensimar product. The question of who is copying whom has meanwhile lost its significance. In my opinion, the market doesn't need such freely exchangeable brands! Read the article and commentary.NH Hoteles will leave Buehlerhoehe near Baden-Baden. With this, a relationship which has long been fraught with tension ends rather unspectacularly. We didn't speculate on the reasons for the decision, but have spoken directly to NH and the family office of owner family Hopp.The new tool of our Solutions partner Micros Fidelio can certainly help to optimise revenues. The new OPERA revenue management system applies yield management principles and is the only tool integrated in an existing PMS. - The full editorial…

Dear Insiders, Today, the Football World Cup starts in South Africa. The great travel boom to the country at the Cape has not happened so far; however, last-minute offers provided a boost. Whether the 40-billion mega-investment in the South African infrastructure pays off is something we will find out later. In Germany, Dr. Luebke analysed the mood of operators and investors on the German hotel market in a current survey. Another Asian group places its trust in Europe as a destination: Banyan Tree. Its plans focus mainly on the Mediterranean countries. One reader's comment reached us last week: Why do we praise the social media movement so uncritically? This is not our aim, but we do not want to criticise everything. We want to give the hoteliers a chance to relate their experiences and excitement candidly to industry colleagues. Therefore, we continue this differentiated approach with Ritz-Carlton today; next week, Travel Charme follows as a case study. After that, there will be room for critical voices.Among the news: A Ritz-Carlton manager changes to Adlon Berlin; Wyndham and Sol Meliá make an unusual deal; and the worldwide hotel group ranking has been published again.Our Solutions partner Siemens Hospitality presents itself as an attentive market observer today: More and more large hotel chain tend to outsource their entire IT. Find out about the different models under "Solutions"! - The full editorial…

Dear Insiders, Times are difficult right now. Berlin and Brussels are putting open and closed funds under pressure. A background report. In Ireland, only five percent of the hotels are operating profitably, says Horwath HTL. That sounds disastrous, but seems to be no exception. An analysis and comparison with Great Britain.Banks remain a problem everywhere: Since January, 100 financial institutions have been examined by the Austrian banks evaluation platform. A big name does not guarantee a good result.The Hyatt Regency Duesseldorf is adhering to the criteria of the seal of quality as set down by the German Sustainable Building Council as first new hotel in Germany to do so. Moreover, international hotel managers talk about their experiences with social media today – and reveal a great many "Do's & Don'ts".Many background details will be laid open at the Kohl & Partner workshop about health real estate in Munich on July 5. hospitalityInside.com is the media partner of this highly interesting and so far unique event in Germany. See "Network" or click on the logo on "Home". - The full editorial….

Dear Insiders, The business travel market is showing a slight recovery. However, the current study along IMEX clearly shows this week: The providers have to adjust their offers according to the new demands of the companies! Adjustments are also important for the subject of "conversions" today – a term often used during the crisis. pentahotels show how to develop a lean and increase profit in doing so. Two reports describe the practical implementation and the attitude of the large hotel chains. Among our top news today: B&B in due diligence, rumours about Buergenstock in Switzerland, surprising staff changes... Furthermore, the dpa press agency from Germany quoted the police report on the death of investor Dieter Bock in Hamburg two weeks ago: According to it, he choked on a piece of meat – in a room in his own hotel, the Atlantic Hamburg. And last but not least, we would like to invite you to a tour today: In November, the leading German spa consultancy Rizzato Spa Consulting and hospitalityInside will be organising the first "rolling Medical Wellness Seminar". The joint network enables a very special trip: On five days, we will be visiting five leading businesses in Germany, Switzerland and Austria – where medical wellness has already been practiced with different focal points for many years. The tour is meant to enlighten – and provide our participants with first-hand information from top physicians, renowned spa experts and hotel managers. More details are freely accessible for all readers at "Network". Or you can click on the logo on the homepage. - To the full editorial…

Dear Insiders, Now the budget hotels in German speaking Europe are becoming larger, we asked the established "mega hotels" what criteria are crucially important for such bed mountains. And we learn: Their operation follows a completely different set of rules. Local hotel groups in the United Arab Emirates have learnt fast. As our examples show, they have been whipped almost over night into the very eye of the market force storm and are now subject to the same challenges their western colleagues have long since faced. The crisis has had an equalizing effect. And the small, fine differences are today what it's about with regard to USALI. A Hotour consultant explains interpretations of the term "GOP". Ambiente Privathotels have defined their expansion strategy: First and foremost they want to grow in resorts and are also prepared to acquire and reposition small and medium-sized hotels in financial difficulties.From among our smaller news today, I'd like to draw attention to one: Willy Weiland will leave the InterConti Berlin. - To the full editorial…

Dear Insiders, today, Emanuel Berger will take his official farewell from Victoria-Jungfrau Collection in Switzerland - after 39 years. The success of The Grand Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau and its sister hotels can be attributed to “Mani”, as he was called. A silent, always modest entrepreneur is leaving the stage. An extensive interview about old times and truths which are still valid – and a short interview with Emanuel Berger’s successor, Beat R. Sigg.Experienced, crisis-proof hoteliers are now in high demand in the Middle East. The show is over here and the region is struggling with lots of challenges… In addition, you will be reading about new hotel projects under “News Mix”. Next week, I will provide further reports on the hotel development in the Middle East. On Wednesday in Vienna, Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group announced its transformation into a public limited company and announced changes in top management. The current strategy trusts in de-investment, and the new structure is to facilitate access to fresh capital.Questioning developments and lateral thinking is always good. And this is exactly the aim of the Design Hotels “Future Forum” inviting colleagues from the industry to take part in this symposium under the motto “Hybrid Thinking”. hospitalityInside will act as a media partner in this event.There is also sad news today: Dieter Bock, well-known hotel investor, who owns several Kempinski properties, has passed away. - To the full editorial...

Dear Insiders, In future, hotel investors will focus on Asia first, next on the Middle East, and then on Africa. Good old Western Europe is far behind. Maria Puetz-Willems, Editor-in-Chief, noticed crystal clear statements on shifting markets while attending the conference.The hopeless image of Dubai last year has slightly improved. Despite that, abandoned construction sites and countless vacant properties still depict the crisis. Facing this, the mood at the "Arabian Travel Market" felt good. Venu, Jumeirah’s new brand, was a top novelty – and all other hotel groups are exercising restraint.The Austrian Hypo Alpe-Adria bank put several hotel properties in Carinthia to sale, also the Capella Schloss Velden luxury resort. Hotel veteran Elmar Greif is still struggling with massive new and old problems.The social media wave is rolling on, but will Facebook, Twitter, or Xing replace classic websites? Opinions vary widely, as the HSMA eMarketing Day showed.Our article on the result of the German VAT reduction and its aftermath reveals the importance of personal contacts and direct communication. A VDR panel shed some light on this issue.Among this week’s news: Kurt Ritter’s comment on Carlson’s sale of Regent, a reservation portal negotiating hotel rates for its customers, the merger of two meta search engines, and the severe losses of US hotels in 2009. - The full editorial...

Dear Insiders, The eternal discussion, lease or management contract, polarises. Representatives of Union Investment, Hilton and hcb concepts tried to find out how a deal can be reached where one side is allowed to conclude only lease agreements and the other only management contracts. As of 2012, the lease agreement could have serious consequences for company accounts: As of then, new definitions of operating and finance leases enter into force. "The planned new definition under IFRS will change the European hotel landscape!" Arabella CEO Wolfgang Neumann forecasts. Health care real estate is in trend in Western Europe, one analyst from the Viennese real estate specialist, MRG Metzger Realitäten, says. Above all, operators are pushing development. Reticence on part of investors is harder to understand given the reliable returns from such real estate. Just how health care real estate and tourism/hotels can be brought together will also be illustrated by a workshop for investors, financiers and hoteliers held by Kohl & Partner on 5 July in Munich. The programme is now perfect and can be read by everyone in our "Network" section. Our contribution on the small Emirate of Sharjah, Dubai's smaller neighbour, today looks at a further piece of the puzzle in desert development. And I can soon tell you myself how things are looking in Dubai: Next week, the editorial will be brought to you by my colleague Susanne Stauss as I will be in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to pick reliable and first-hand informations for you. Information on hotel construction, is the business of our colleagues at "hotelbau". The specialist magazine introduces itself today in our "Solutions" section.

Dear Insiders, In Island the volcano is spitting ash, in Berlin Jochen Hunold, head of Air Berlin spit rough words. On the ground, there was a chaos last week. Hoteliers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland tell how they handle the booking situation. Our labour law expert Joachim Jungbluth brings light into legal questions - how should employers deal with employees who have returned with a delay? Peter Borer, COO Peninsula Hotels, was able to catch the last flight to Hong Kong. In Zurich, he talked about the changes within the luxury group and about the balancing act between economising and luxury.This week, the tour operators got into a flap – six weeks ago, three of them were calmly sitting on the stage at the ITB Hospitality Day, trying to explain how individually full-package operators are able to react. Today, with the summary of the 6th panel discussion, we end our report about the ITB 2010 and its hotel conference. Theses articles can be still found under "Network" and are free of charge.In June, hospitalityInside.com will be media partner of the "Future Forum" of Design Hotels. The creative minds around Claus Sendlinger invited international "hot shots" from design, architecture and future research to find inspirations for hybrid thinking. The symposium with the title "Hybrid Thinking" is also open to external participants! You'll find more at "Network".Giving the hospitality industry a face at Expo Real's real estate world is the aim of the first joint stand and the second network event "Bricks&Brains" in Munich in October 2010. Interested businesses are invited to participate as co-exhibitors or sponsors. You'll find more at "network". - To the full editorial...