Dear Insiders,

The trade fairs are back again! Just like us, many people are happy about the restart of the Expo Real on Monday – after the IHIF in September in Berlin, the second large real estate party. Finally, the family feeling again!

In the background, however, things are getting to the point. How do concepts and real estate types change, whom do investors and banks still trust, how can the staffing problem be solved, which innovation is helpful? The industry is swinging between the poles – at least that's my snapshot prior to the Expo Real. It also directs the focus to topics, which will be discussed at the hotel conference.

As the real estate industry takes place and sustainability lurks everywhere, Susanne Stauss provides critical, demanding and encouraging voices from our Think Tank, which took place four weeks ago. Not the investors are driving the topic but the consumers. What humiliation. Wooden hotels already exist, but building authorities and banks still believe, that these buildings will burn faster than the chairs they are sitting on. Those who are not afraid of sustainable construction can find good solutions in models, modules and BIM. Invesco, the Zech Groupe, Soulmade and Drees & Sommer are reporting from the practice.

And today, we are starting the INVESTMENT BAROMETER in collaboration with Union Investment again – our current survey about hotel assets and the market. Please participate online, from your office, home office or during an Expo break. Here is the direct link to the Barometer! Those who participate will get a detailed analysis in their mailbox, if they want. For newcomers: You will find all details on our page 1 today!

Not only STR and Fairmas provide figures constantly to help the evaluation of the current performance. This week, the WTTC analysed the consequences of the pandemic and named the global job killer rate: 62 million jobs were lost in the tourism industry in 2020. And at the current recovery speed, the number of jobs will probably only increase by 0.7% this year.

And the UNWTO complains that non-uniform rules and vaccination rates are hampering further recovery. 18 months after the outbreak of the pandemic, there is still no reliable economic perspective. But: The "Covid pill" is on the horizon. This is really good news from the pharmaceutical giant Merck this week. As medication, the pill can be distributed globally without any problems and is able to help more quickly. The market rates of the hotel chains rose after this announcement.

At Accor, the mood for lifestyle is increasing: Ennismore finally belongs to the group officially, including 25hours by 100 percent now. We have asked them about the personnel changes, amongst other things.

Time and again, it's the background details that make deals interesting. The extra call always means more effort, but it also provides pleasure, fun and more knowledge. Therefore, we were very happy when we heard via a – general – media analysis that the consumption of news during the pandemic increased and is still increasing. And that high-quality editorial content has been more in demand and still is, also beyond the topic of Covid-19!

Therefore, I'm not willing to participate in one topic this week: The antisemitic accusations against the Westin Leipzig. The nature and the scope of the media coverage by the public service media as well as trade media, which should know better, has a disastrous effect on the industry. Sensitive topics with unclear facts shouldn't be click machines.

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

Last Sunday, the German electorate gave their verdict on the chaos and failures of the previous government coalition. Yet too courageous they weren't. With a lot of luck and a tiny lead, the previous finance minister Olaf Scholz will now presumably become "the new Merkel". This is the guy who grabbed for the "bazooka" for the industry in March 2020, promising it big and unbureaucratic solutions - and then went on to nearly shoot down the entire sector.

Should the now widely expected "traffic light" coalition of Red, Yellow and Green come about, lobbying by German industry will become more difficult.

I don't understand the discussion of Germany's 3G or 2G rule, which is incomprehensible to me. It should really only be the 2G rule that's to apply if we're finally to get rid of this virus. On the other hand, if this were the case, the restaurant and catering sector in particular would lose even more turnover. Do you think you'll have fewer grumbling guests with 3G than if you applied 2G? Every additional euro made this year because of 3G could pay for itself many times over next year. The sector is far from out of the woods.

A lot of patience is still required. STR's numbers definitely signal that. Macy Marvel has analysed the summer of 2021/2020 at the European level, and has also taken a look at the exploding pipeline. With so many plans in the making, demand and ADR will shrink significantly. But the US is allowing entries again and the UK is relaxing further from next Monday.

Good news from the German Serviced Apartment sector. This summer it has already approached the pre-Corona level: Leisure guests have discovered the segment.

And the back and forth about 3G or 2G is reflected in stark form today in Fred Fettner's report on Austrian plans for the upcoming winter season. The pull of the snow and the cold ski season is already greater than 2019! That's why the lifts have to work, but how do you check vaccination status and tests at the lift? 3G is set only to mean long queues here. But 2G at the ski lodge is hardly the best solution either as it would exclude people again.

Wouldn't digitisation be able a help here? Not at all - this time, its data protection rules that are the hurdle. Unbelievable how complicated, convoluted and confusing our systems and structures are. We are still very far away from a functioning digital society.

No, it's no coincidence that our news stories today are almost all about sustainability. The floods of info on this topic on my desk are growing daily. Now companies like Deutsche Seereederei just have to realise that you shouldn't announce "green" properties and brands twice in a row if you can't give any details; all you're doing then is greenwashing.

But a lot is happening in the industry now, and a lot of good things too, as our Sustainability Mix shows. And in the same way, the news from the real estate world is picking up again.

Till next Friday!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

"Corona is over," the conductor of a full intercity train said on Tuesday. I don't see it that way. German Health Minister Jens Spahn spoke this week of an end to the pandemic in the spring - provided we achieve herd immunity. I'm still sceptical about that. Not least because we don't yet know who will be in charge in Germany after the federal elections on Sunday.

And a third thing got me thinking after the conference of the IHA International Hotel Association this week in Berlin: There are hoteliers who have quickly forgotten all the hardship and stress of the last 18 months, as well as the millions in aid paid into their accounts - and then immediately crave a return to the "level of 2019" again.

At the other extreme are those highly sensitive souls, who respond to every little vibration. There are also "vibes" for change in the hotel association, but the transformation process will still be long, and painful. The discussion about the loss of employees has shown how unshakable the self-confidence of the "old school" still is.

Eyes open for change! For the worse as well as for better. Numbers make the pandemic misery visible: For example, in the Europe-US comparison, a data analyst's GOP numbers per available room show the disastrous decline in room rates, profitability, housekeeping - and in surprisingly rapidly rising labour costs.

The pressure to change remains great, so keep your eyes open! "The world is facing unprecedented challenges, we will need unprecedented answers," said London-based investment professional, world and economic analyst Wes Paul in his keynote speech at our HITT Think Tank two weeks ago. Much of what he said sounded dramatic, but unfortunately it is also very true.

Today we summarise his key statements and are pleased to be able to transmit his message to all of you: "It's the best of times and the worst of times for you, but it's also an opportunity for this industry to lead by example. We can be an example of change, we can influence behaviour. We can be the ones to show in the private sector that it's more profitable to do it right. And we can show that we're forward thinking by adopting technologies where others are hesitant, while embracing those changes that can improve outcomes." He is a firm believer in this crisis-buffeted and crisis-tested industry.

Only two weeks to go and many of us are packing our bags again for Expo Real. Finally! The hospitality marketplace there is something to behold! And the trade fair will once again hold a hotel conference, this time with five discussion panels. All this information, also about the World of Hospitality can be found on our page 1 - as well as the links to the 15 exhibitor profiles under the menu button "Marketplace" with the landing page of the joint stand. 

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

The 4th HITT, the first hybrid event: HITT 2021, which took place at the Co-Working Space in Munich on Monday and Tuesday was great fun. At the location, an abundance of positive energy was floating around, the vivid conversations continued until late into the night. But the virtual participants were also full of praise; they were able to join live with sound and video. Technology makes many things possible – including sustainable concepts in your hotel businesses.

For two days, our Think Tank addressed the interlocking power package of sustainability and digitalization. 16 internationally renowned speakers in 10 sessions – from the great investment expert and future focused Wes Paul from London to the self-confident Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs and imaginative Accor CTO Floor Bleeker to all the other top-profile speakers with decades of expertise around the globe…

Susanne Stauss lists them all; and she has summarised core statements for our subscribers. You will find a summary on page 1, with quotes from the participants.

It was a lot of information – with a steep learning curve. In the background, asset managers are thinking about new KPIs such as the carbon footprint per room, politicians are preparing concrete regulations, traditional developers are experimenting with modular construction methods using different materials, and individual entrepreneurs with successful wooden hotels are not receiving any funding at all.

In the field, a lot is still going wrong. But in the hotel industry, there is still little well-founded knowledge about how to go about it. In any case, without digital measurement, there is no data und therefore no proof of savings, from which lower costs and higher returns can be derived. Digitalisation makes sustainability possible! All experts agreed on this, and: Owners need to take the first step, calculate, invest, and then share the costs. Collaboration is the bedrock of the future!

In any case, the groundwork has been set for next year. Sustainability & Digitalisation will remain our topic. Save the date: June 27/28, 2022 – hopefully again in Berlin and on the ship!

Today's other topics: Holiday homes and apartments are among the winners of the corona crisis. Sylvie Konzack analyses in figures why they leave traditional hotels behind in Germany. Also current in the event and trade fair business, which is picking up again: a remarkable Higher Regional Court ruling about hotel cancellations in the pandemic. Hotelier and guest have to share the costs.

In the German hotel market, things are slowly improving, but not in Switzerland yet. New studies and market reports alternate between hope and hardship. Poland's hotel pipeline is currently churning out plenty of new chain hotels; in Spain, the chambermaids are fighting for their own booking platform because they only want to promote hotels that treat them fairly; and among the unicorns of the world, SiteMinder is now preparing for its initial public offering.

Today, you need to dive deep into the topics… Enjoy!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

This issue is crammed full with material for further discussion. I start with Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin. The pandemic has made him "humble". He blames himself for not taking the employee issue as seriously as he should earlier. "We employers were blind! We must accept our fault too!"

He's been thinking about solutions - and he wants to hire more people from the "talent pool" which is the millions of refugees who lost their jobs because of Covid-19. He is also thinking of many well-educated people, not just the lower ranks. Accor has already been feeling its way forward.

For Bazin, the next pool with potential is the "remote industry". Accor is already testing ideas here at 400 hotels in France. Vacant conference spaces and rooms converted to offices are revenue-promising alternatives for those who work from home in the area and who need a quiet place to work and hold meetings.

I met Sébastien Bazin last week in Berlin; he was in a chatty mood. He announced a new roll-out for franchisees, a new digital platform, talked about soft brands, cash cows and mega markets. What I personally liked: He thought first on some questions and then spoke. Some CEOs prefer the reverse order.

Also on the topic of those working from home, Radisson CEO Federico González unveiled the convertible room: The rooms can be transformed by two people from a comfortable hotel room into a meeting room for eight within 15 minutes. The meeting furniture and the room divider come out of the ceiling. A video shows the principle, but detailed information will be available at the end of October. We also talked to the two biggest franchisors in the world at IHIF: Wyndham and Choice. There's movement everywhere.

In our last issue, we highlighted the summer season in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region as well as in Italy and Spain with solid figures and opinions. Today, Sarah Douag analyses the "hot months", which in some cases brought France records, but generally depressed the Dutch and the Belgians.

The mixed feelings in these three countries remain: Indeed, France promised further financial support to the industry from October onwards, while the Netherlands and Belgians will be left pretty much empty-handed. The mixed summer in the hotel industry in Central Europe is also reflected in the airline statistics: Bookings did not even reach 40% of 2019 volumes.

But it gets even more dramatic than that: With a minus of 80%, the business travel segment in Germany in 2020 took the biggest plunge in its history. Remote working is already influencing the figures for the first half of the year, as the recently published business travel analysis shows.

The market is in flux, everywhere: Bill Gates is now the majority shareholder of Four Seasons. Is that good? Sarah Douag weighs in. Innegrit Volkhardt of Bayerischer Hof Munich has sold her 51-room jewel, Hotel zur Tenne in Kitzbühel to the owner of the Fairmont Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg: a Bavarian add-on for the luxury hotel in the north.

Overall, the German hospitality industry is slowly starting to recover, but the announcements from politicians are still hotly anticipated, especially in the city hotel industry: Bridging Assistance III Plus has been extended until 31 December 2021. That's decided. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz is going on the hunt for voters by promising in the media as a candidate for chancellor to keep the reduced VAT rate permanently.

There is a lot to discuss and a lot more knowledge to build in order to properly assess the current dynamics.

That's why our team is now looking forward to Monday and Tuesday - to our Think Tank and the thematic power package of Sustainability & Digitalisation! There will be 16 top-class experts speaking and discussing in 10 rounds, and a few more participants will come to Munich in person than we will have digital listeners and viewers. This means that we are also fully in line with the event trend. Now set for its 4th edition, the HITT is to become a sustainable event itself... We look forward to the dialogue with our guests!

Enjoy reading today's issue!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

The fans of the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin had to wait a long time. For the first time since March 2019, real estate experts and investors met again at the InterContinental Berlin – but this time with 1,000 participants instead of 3,000. Most of them considered it a positive signal that this event actually took place – an important emotional push for the hard-hit industry. Hoteliers, bankers, and developers alike seemed less stressed compared to the boom period two and a half years ago.

There was no big news. Instead, the CEOs compared their frustration and expectations. Only Sébastien Bazin's speech was a beacon of light. You'll find more on this in today's initial report on the general mood. The next issue will feature more extensive interviews with CEOs by Susanne Stauss and myself. The IHIF does not end before noon today.

What was the summer in Europe like? Our correspondents quote the official statistics as well as both frustration and joy of hoteliers from both budget and luxury. In the German-speaking countries, there has been a little more sun than cloudy weather since June, while it has been the other way round in Italy and Spain. There were more problems than successes. The situation remains tricky. Everybody is suffering from a lack of employees and extremely short-term reservations, which are often made only 1 or 2 weeks before arrival.

European pipeline figures published right before the IHIF will increase the pressure even more. This year, hotel openings will reach an all-time high in Europe with 100,000 new rooms. This also marks an end of the project backlog that had been accumulating since 2019. Competition is thus rising. A virtual job fair in France is trying to address the lack of employees – at least in the luxury segment. You can join in!

To make sure that travel does not turn into a financial trauma for vacationers in the future, the German Travel Protection Fund will be officially launched in Germany on November 1. Today, our News Mix is once again full of new projects, and in our Sustainability News section you will find, among other things, news on an e-mobility platform and e-cargo bikes for hotels.

And this brings us – for the last time – to our Think Tank. For this hybrid event, a substantially higher physical than virtual participation in Munich is becoming apparent. Today, we introduce our sponsors of the HITT: Accor, Drees & Sommer, IDeaS, Deutsche Hospitality, Duetto, Uniper, Expo Real, and Hotelschool The Hague.
This colourful diversity reflects the cross-industry interconnectedness of the topic: SUSTAINABILITY & DIGITALISATION: THE CHANGE DRIVERS. The Decade of Action: How Sustainability leads the agenda, how Digitalisation enables it.

There are only free co-working spaces available in Munich. Or you can join us virtually. You can still book last-minute with us! After all, this is fully in vogue this year.

The same goes for the Expo Real: Here, businesses joined us as exhibitors in the World of Hospitality last-minute, and we even enlarged the second stand again. This is your last chance to secure a fixed place at the trade fair. Of course, mere logo partnerships are still possible in October.

Have a nice weekend and a good week!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief 

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

Masks only in shops, little distance between rental loungers, lots of room under pine trees, delicious food and super service in restaurants… This is how Croatia welcomed us on our summer vacation this year, after they examined our "covid papers" at the border and later again at the tourism office. Bureaucracy seems to be reassuring. I perceived the European and colourful mix of holidaymakers in Croatia as mindful in general. Everybody knows what is at stake.

It's about the 4th wave, which is surging again in Central Europe right now. The countries want to break this wave by admitting only vaccinated and recovered or maybe also tested people into restaurants. The disagreement is uniform, and last summer's patchwork measures seem to be a déjà vu. However, one thing is clear: The pressure on non-vaccinated people is increasing. In a cosmopolitan industry such as tourism, this is ethically and morally questionable, but actually the bottom line is: without herd immunity, the virus will not disappear.

The subsequent question for the industry is the following: How long is the industry to continue suffering? The EMEAA region remains the biggest challenge, says IHG's CEO at the presentation of the – devastating – half-year figures. And Duncan O'Rourke of Accor says the same in my interview with him today: Europe is struggling, Germany is struggling even more… The CEO Northern Europe is especially depressed about the lack of staff members and is trying to compensate for this by forming local task forces. And the empty MICE hotels have to be reconsidered as well: He has already established new creative teams here. He is very matter-of-factly and solution-orientated.

In the world of mega chains, nearly nothing has changed according to the US magazine Hotels – apart from the fact, that Oyo from India was expelled from the ranking. This is an unusual step and Macy Marvel explains the reasons.

And why should you, dear hoteliers, install more charging stations for e-cars? The reason is very simple: As long as there is such a shortage as today, a charging station for e-cars on the premises could bring you additional guests. However, what you should consider regarding charging infrastructure as well as guest-compliant and comfortable billing, will be explained by The Mobility House from Munich today – a young technology business, which thinks interconnected.

Today's news shows: An increasing number of studies reveal the necessity and benefit of digitalisation and sustainability. Reports like the ZIA & EY, for example, and the RICS Sustainability Report.

Therefore, we feel our focus for the HITT Think Tank has been fully endorsed: It starts in Munich in 16 days – live and digitally. I know that there are many appointments in September. But these two days will provide you with so much condensed hotel-oriented information and expert knowledge you would only obtain on very few occasions. Sustainability & digitalisation will not become a game changer – they already are! Pressure and dynamics are already increasing here.

As executives, you need to invest time and vigour NOW, in order to understand the new and interlinked future between property and hotel operation! And we offer ample opportunities for networking as well. You will find all information on www.hitt.world. And the entire overview is displayed on hospitalityInside's page 1 today.

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

Germany and the US are still debating about the advantages for vaccinated people in everyday life. While New York single-handedly creates precedents as first metropolis in the US: starting on September 13, the city will demand proof of vaccination from employees and visitors of businesses in internal spaces. This is a clear announcement, finally!

I predict: The German government will keep debating – at least until the federal election in September – to evade any responsibility. Yesterday, my colleague Susanne Stauss said during our daily exchange: "The government has patronised us for one and a half years – and the only thing, which will really help, will not be mandatory!" And she is right. Socially and economically, this is no longer acceptable.

Starting today at noon, I will no longer get worked up about politics as we will be off for our two-week summer break. But I would like to provide you with some food for thought for the next few days:

Amsterdam and the small Austrian village of Hallstatt, which was overrun by Asian tourists, have pulled the tourism brake. Massively! In both destinations, large and small, citizens, local business people and mayors agreed on the strict limitation of masses and consequently, on the loss of revenues. And this means: There will be fewer new hotels. Sarah Douag, who lives in Amsterdam, reports about change in thinking there, and Baerbel Schwertfeger paid a visit to the World Cultural Heritage village in the Salzkammergut.

Sylvie Konzack also sees the crisis as a chance for the industry: She traces the numerous facets of the industry's DNA with a positive approach. The hospitality lifestyle spirit and the know-how of hoteliers, who switch to different niches, will cater to the fact that hospitality is the new living.

Primestar is taking a new approach to the long-stay segment as well now; CEO Andreas Erben reveals further details and relies on a young booking portal for these guests. The operator MHP Hotels acts as co-investor for the first time in the just recently obtained Marriott Basel; the "PropCo" is becoming strategy, says managing partner Joerg Frehse.

The industry is crisis-proof, can take a lot and is able to save a few things through high self-motivation and flexibility. Therefore, it is very frustrating when the head of Switzerland Tourism publicly declares that it will still take decades to recover in the country…

The balance sheets of Motel One, Hyatt, Marriott, Pandox, and Wyndham for the first half and the second half show a recession but recovery as well. In addition, I talked to several hoteliers this week, who are happy about their first properties with an occupancy rate of 90% and 100% in July – also in cities.

Our Think Tank is also a reason to be happy. Do you have this top-class event in your calendars? September 13/14? In Munich or virtually? Most speakers have announced they will come personally. Use this network opportunity and get an in-depth, exclusive update about sustainability and digitalisation! Including get-togethers on two evenings. Our common language is and remains English. Our host Tim Davis explains the USPs of this unique event, which stands for quality instead of quantity. There will be no PR shows.

"In this Think Tank, we will deal with the trends, which will shape the future of our industry and will determine, who becomes future market leader." Please register! This is a win-win situation for all who drive sustainability and digitalisation in their businesses. www.hitt.world

We will be back in our office on August 23, the next edition will be available on August 27. Have a nice holiday!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

The Italian government decreed by law: As of 6 August, no one will be allowed to enter a restaurant without a vaccination certificate. The next day, 500,000 Italians made an appointment to be vaccinated. And it was the same in France: The day after the health passport was announced, 1.1 million people signed up for vaccination; by the end of the week, that number had risen to 3.7 million. There you go! Only the Germans are still debating the issue... Presumably until the holiday season and the federal elections are over.

The tendency to simply sit problems out is also a characteristic of many hoteliers. Even in the boom years, they already knew that you had to pay employees more and create more attractive working conditions for them. Many did, others simply ignored things.

The price has now fallen to be paid - all around the globe. Figures from USA, UK and France show how desperate the situation is. I'll just mention just one shocking figure: Over 50% of former employees in the industry who are currently looking for another job say: Neither a raise nor any other incentive would motivate them to return to their old restaurant, bar or hotel job.

Sarah Douag reports on the conditions behind the international figures and describes the consequences in the three countries. At the same time, Sylvie Konzack is trying to work out just how hard the boomerang will return to hit in Germany. Hoteliers and headhunters report. Yes, there will be a race for employees, and this is coming at the worst possible time, in the middle of the crisis, in the balancing act between helpful short-time allowance & weak revenues, rising guest numbers & necessary salary increases.

Fortunately, despite all the acute problems, there are still people like Alexander Eisner and his Atomis Hotels who want to really step on the gas in the hotel industry. Romania also wants to step on the gas: despite Corona, plans for mega-tourism projects and hotels continue to develop there, following the pre-Corona pattern. Macy Marvel on the boom in a little-noticed country. 

Human resources, today, is an expression that carries with it a completely different connotation to that used by legitimate business, namely: human trafficking. Perhaps this affects us in Europe less than other countries, but it is still a serious issue. The WTTC has published a report on today's "World Day Against Trafficking in Persons" and is thus sending out a clear signal. As a part of ESG targets, we will hear more about this issue in Europe in the future.

This brings us to our think tank on "Sustainability & Digitalisation". One will no longer work without the other. Investors, operators and IT experts will have to cooperate in the future. The technology ensures that operational costs are reduced, which puts leaseholders in a position to pay higher rents and thus convinces the investor to invest more. That is the lever of success. The drivers behind this are the new consumers and sensors that communicate with each other.

Now you want to know what works and what doesn't? Then listen in as CTO Floor Bleeker of Accor, Andreas Ewald of Engel & Völkers Hotel Consulting and Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist of IDeaS share their thoughts. www.hitt.world

As usual, we round off our issue with lots of market news. The half-year results from Accor, Hilton and NH also give an indication of the economic mood in the market.

Till next Friday!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com

Dear Insiders,

This issue is hopefully able to rein in some fears and curb the feelings of panic before the next wave. The hotel sector is going under, though known hotels continue to go out of business almost every week now. "This is a normal process of market consolidation," Martina Fidlschuster says soberly. And in place of the oft-predicted big wave of insolvencies, she doesn't see many small waves coming either.

Every group is currently polishing its portfolio and scouting out shaky hotels, mostly in secret. Obviously though, taking the example of Flemings hotels this week: Those who rely too heavily on one location run a higher risk in the crisis. And in the case of the large Ellington Hotel in Berlin, it was probably more a question of the mega-property in a prime location and thus a change of use.

Despite such misery though, the pipelines for the cities are still full, so the loss of the 285 Ellington rooms won't even be noticeable. And there are always new players like Renditus on the market who first put out feelers and then make targeted use of synergies.

Martin Winkler, CEO of Austria Trend Hotels, says: "If you expand by hook or crook in locations where you need 80% occupancy to cover your costs, you're going to have problems." The thinking in Austria is similar. Verkehrsbüro, the parent company of ATH, the serviced apartment group Harry's Home and the private Ipp Hotels want to and will continue to expand. They all solved their problems around rents/leases, government subsidies and employees in their own different ways. Crisis is the mother of all invention.

The same applies to the Global Hotel Alliance, which, with its network of international hotel chains, stands back to look at the broader picture each day. CEO Chris Hartley senses that more and more independent business are looking for a strong shoulder in distribution and loyalty. With NH Hotels as new shareholders, the consortium is set for huge growth as, among other things, NH merges its rewards programme with GHA's. GHA wants to be the alternative to Accor's ALL and Marriott's Bonvoy. More "local experiences" and the new "Discovery Dollar", which can also be used to pay at home, are intended to help. GHA introduces its own loyalty currency. Crisis is indeed the mother of all invention.

Even as the UK's corona case rate climbs towards 500 four days after "Freedom Day", hospitality insiders are slowly turning their attention back to the Brexit fallout. Their biggest drama: the European employees who have left. A current study analyses the immediate future for British hoteliers with data and identification of the weak points.

Landing a coup in a crisis usually means being so solid yourself that partners will pull you along, despite a loss of liquidity. Motel One is now also available in New York - a mega step and a mega compliment for the Munich-based budget lifestyle group. Its first hotel in the USA! It is moving into the previous Courtyard at Marriott at the World Trade Center. The tenant was obviously in trouble, and owner Union Investment terminated before the end of the lease. Motel One follows Marriott. It shows investors as well as the mega-chains: Size doesn't matter anymore. Crisis is both risk and opportunity!

And this is especially true for the subject of sustainability. The destroyed villages and valleys in West Germany, together with the more than 170 dead, is a tragedy that cries out for change. "We must not only announce plans, but act on them too!" says ex-hotelier Wolfgang M. Neumann, today Chairman of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Change is a matter for the boss, needs a leadership strategy, teamwork and clearly defined responsibilities. He will explain how hotels can do this at the HITT Think Tank on 13/14 September.

And an update on Expo Real in October: 12 companies have now confirmed their participation in our joint stand. New additions are Premier Inn and Primestar. More on our page 1. 

We wish you a pleasant week full of opportunities!

Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief

Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com