Editorial

Dear Insiders,
Will we see each other in Berlin next week? IHIF and ITB will both soon be underway. Will you be at the ITB Hotel Conference on Thursday? Today, we present the last two of six exciting panel topics. Anyone who can't make it to Berlin can follow ITB Hospitality Day live on the internet via Livestream.
At the conference and at our Joint Stand "World of Hospitality" in Hall 9/109, you can also pick up our new bilingual "hospitalityInside SPECIAL ITB" free of charge. Alternatively, you can view it from today online as eMagazine. More than 4,000 copies of the magazine will be distributed at the trade fair and at selected Berlin hotels.
The Special also includes results of the 1st "hospitalityInside Investment BAROMETER" in conjunction with Union Investment. Sentiment on the hotel real estate market is excellent! The index can be found on page 1 of our website, more in the magazine and everyone taking part will receive all future ratings too. Register here today for the next survey which will be launched after the industry events in Berlin!
Please also feel free to drop by at our joint stand in Hall 9/109 - our 11 co-exhibitors from various segments would be pleased to explain their ideas and innovations.
And there's exciting news in the magazine too today. After three years of silence, Dirk Iserlohe, Managing Partner of E&P Holding, Cologne, has spoken extensively with us. He talks about the "hard knocks" for E&P funds, for subsidiary Dorint Hotels & Resorts and on the sale of the SenVital brand. And he stresses: I'm not planning any insolvency of Dorint Hotels!
And a look at Sochi: The biggest Russian chain operates the largest hotel complex there with 3,600 rooms. Now the athletes have gone, Azimut CEO Walter Neumann draws his conclusions after the Olympics.
Best Wellness Austria Hotels are focusing on a different source of strength. They have created an exclusive application and care series exclusively for their members - a type of Alpine Ayurveda.
Orient-Express is set to change its name for an absolute no-name. Also, the Estrel Berlin is making waves with its plans for a second mega-tower. HRS will need lots of energy for the appeal against the German Federal Cartel Office in the rate parity decision. A hidden announcement from InterCity Hotels: Puneet Chhatwal plans a mega-deal.
Summaries from the talk rounds at the "ITB Hospitality Day" will follow from March 14 as will further reports on the ITB and IHIF. Next week, our team will be out and about for you, dear reader... Nevertheless, you will receive your Friday edition as usual. – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Now Carlson Rezidor is driving forward with new expansion. On Wednesday, the group presented two new brands, one in the luxury segment and the other in the new "Lifestyle Select" segment. As a result, the Radisson "Blu" will now get a sister, the Radisson "Red". CEO Wolfgang Neumann explains the details. A destination to which an extraordinary number of hotel operators are going is Marrakech. But by far not every project will be realised. Meanwhile, Morocco's flagship destination is so luxury heavy that tourism investors are already switching attention to entertainment facilities. A Sofitel hotelier is also President of the regional tourism committee and speaks about current challenges.
In Italy, tour operator Alpitour is using this period of economically difficult times for a new start. The business also owns Alpitour World Hotels & Resorts. Effective from today, they are rebranded as VOIhotels. Both businesses are headed by the former CEO of NH Hoteles, Gabriele Burgio, and his former colleague at NH, Arco Buijs, who was last CEO at Steigenberger. Currently, both managers are reducing costs in the parent company and its subsidiary and defining a new strategy.
The German market research institute, GfK meanwhile expects a positive consumer climate for the whole of Europe - a good sign, also for the hotel industry. The upwards trend is also reflected in Annual Results 2013 from Accor, IHG, Choice and others.
How hotel groups can use large trends will also be made clear at the ITB hotel conference the "ITB Hospitality Day": There, Six Senses President Bernhard Bohnenberger will explain the apparent contradiction between luxury and environment. He will be joined by an "Infinity Finder". On another panel, the topic will be the new individual Chinese traveller. Read the announcement on our Page 1 which also includes a link for the Livestream on ITB Thursday: Anyone who can't make it to Berlin can follow all talk rounds live on the internet! A super service from Messe Berlin. - The full editorial…

Dear Insiders,
A small majority has voted to regulate immigration in Switzerland. How hard will this referendum hit the hotel industry? We asked Swiss hoteliers, German hoteliers in Switzerland and other experts. It could be hard.
Best Western Germany has resolved to switch its strategy: After a large contraction in its membership in 2013, which was not its fault, the group now intends to acquire small boutique hotels. Whether that's the right way for a global power brand?
Last year, open-ended funds had to accept a new legal framework imposed by lawmakers. This hasn't hurt hotels as an asset class. On the contrary.
Further trend news from other countries: The Swedish Scandic chain has acquired the Norwegian Rica Hotels to become number 1 in Scandinavia. In Vienna, demand is growing for rooms, but only in the low budget sector. Adrian Zecha has reacquired his Amanresorts with a partner. And Rezidor and Starwood Hotels, amongst others, post results for 2013. In the personnel section today, some sad news: Peter Leeb from Hotel Hochschober, an Austrian hotel legend, has died.
The hotel conference "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB Berlin begins on March 6 with a keynote speech from an auditor who is regularly confronted with data attacks; this will be followed by an expert discussion as to how much business one's own website generates. After the rate parity case in Germany, distribution has changed, but how and at what price? Anyone who can't make it to Berlin can follow all talk rounds live on the internet. More on our Page 1 and under Network. – The full editorial…

Dear Insiders,
Italy, Ukraine, Austria, Bangkok, Dubai, Germany - this is the route our news takes today. Foreign tourists kept Italy's economy afloat last year whilst the slump in domestic demand reflects the severity of their crisis. Now, we have up-to-date statistics.
"Room with a revolutionary view": Only the hotels in Kiev close to the protests are full. And that's causing problems for some owners with management contracts. A background story with a current list of hotels in Kiev.
Hoteliers are also suffering in Bangkok as a short look at Thailand shows. The price spiral has drilled itself into the ground there again.
And a unique hotel story comes today from Gasteiner Tal in Austria: There, 52 entrepreneurs, including many hoteliers, have saved a hotel! And they'd do it again...
Dubai has learnt from financial crisis: Now the Emirate has introduced a hefty tourism tax.
Hotel real estate in the EMEA region remains on track in 2014 and is even in the sights of the investment-hungry Chinese.
In other news, the German Cartel Office published its decision in the case of the online travel agent HRS this week. And the German and internationally active training institute IFH has been sold for the second time within the space of 6 months.
Also, ITB Berlin is moving closer: If you're still looking for room for quiet meetings, ask us at the Joint Stand "World of Hospitality" - centrally located in hotel hall 9. And straight after the ITB, we will take a look at the first B2B luxury fair "loop" in Frankfurt. On the last evening, the event also opens up for the "360° Luxury Networking". More on our page 1. – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Next Friday, the Winter Olympics will begin in Sochi. Two weeks later, the event will be over. How empty will the hotels then be in future? Hotel and tourism advisors from Europe believe: Russian guests will continue to have the say there. In the absence of demand in future, various hotels may change use though.
Up to now, there can be no talk of an occupancy problem at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps, and it won't have a problem there in future either: The hideaway, culture and spa resort is now set to host the G8 Summit 2015. Owner Dieter Mueller-Elmau explains how the choice was made. And it's all down to Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor. His new retreat, a "hotel in a hotel" would be built without the G8 though.
And a group in London, Considerate Hoteliers, now aim to support "green" hoteliers in continental Europe - not in marketing primarily, but in the analysis and optimisation of operating costs.
Bitter pill for Kempinski: The luxury hotel chain must leave Munich Airport at the end of the year. The move means Kempinski will lose synergies with its city hotel. Rezidor's experience was similar in Vienna with its second Radisson Blu. There, an Asian chain is to take up residence. The Russian, Elena Baturina, is also making headlines in Vienna: She no longer wishes her hotels to be operated by Martinez.
Alongside news from the MICE segment, we also have some very interesting personalia in this edition. Two Germans also won the "Hotelier of the Year" this week.
The "World of Hospitality" joint stand at the ITB 2014 was expanded at short notice - providing a meeting room and an open lounge area for six and four people. Also, external companies can book the space now on an hourly basis - in Hall 9.
NSA, online portals against federal cartel offices and hoteliers against Peer-to-Peer, Eco & luxury, the new demanding Chinese, and the opinion of third parties... Keywords describing the "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB Berlin 2014. The hotel conference, organised by hospitalityInside for the 9th time, takes up the major social subjects that have been greatly influencing the hotel industry. On Thursday, March 6 from 10:30 in Hall 7.1 B / London Auditorium at fairground. Entry is free to all trade show visitors. Moreover, the ITB Hospitality Day will be broadcast live on the Internet. – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
60 minutes with Sébastien Bazin: Last Monday in Berlin, I met the new Accor CEO for the first time. Immediately he asked me to "spit out" my impression of Accor... The man loves clear speaking and has no qualms about admitting errors - in this case from his time as Colony shareholder. Now, he's chief hotelier and I made no secret of the fact that I think turning things around credibility poses a big challenge. On finishing the interview he says: "Now, you've told me that five times." He listens closely and is quick with his analysis. It wasn't a PR interview.
This was Bazin's first appearance outside France, at the brand new ibis Berlin Kurfuerstendamm. The hotel itself is a milestone. It is celebrated as the 1,000th ibis hotel across the globe and as the first in Germany in which Accor presents its new rooms with completely new bathrooms: The old plastic wet room is finally a thing of the past! In Germany, ibis can now again take up the fight with Motel One. Worldwide, the new ibis will be Accor's locomotive.
Also this week, Austrian hoteliers have been thinking about what could be important to the hotel and its guests in 2025 - and have a strong "green" emphasis here. In a separate article, this edition also looks at what sustainability means for everyday business with the new German Energy Savings Ordinance.
And in other news this week - in Italy, parties and unions quarrel about national employment contracts, in Switzerland the sale of the Victoria-Jungfrau Collection gathers pace and Berlin continues to harry private accommodation agencies - and more. – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Distribution is a central issue in today's edition: Macy Marvels brings us the second part of his analysis on new online distribution channels: how 'mobile' is changing the market, how many bookings are already completed through mobile devices and provides an illustration of the power of providers such as HotelTonight. In the US, the first hotel group also allows bookings to be made via Twitter...
HRS boss Tobias Ragge returned from his holidays on Monday. For the moment, he doesn't wish to make a concrete statement on HRS' new strategy following the decision of the German Cartel Office. However, he has indicated that HRS has a strategy... The ball is currently in the hotelier's court. What should he do to strengthen distribution? We have taken a look at positions in Germany and Austria here. And to our surprise have encountered some unexpectedly self-critical and OTA-friendly responses.
Fred Fettner reports from the annual OEHV Congress in Austria. The 500 participants busied themselves with a contentious issue: If the Germans do better, does this have a negative impact on Austrian tourism? On a positive note: Tourism has now been identified as a future industry!
Also, to mark the start of the year, investment and transaction specialists generally look back on the hotel real estate transactions from the previous year. That the start-up JustBook has been sold just three years after its establishment is further proof of the hyperdynamic development of online distribution. Not quite so surprising, on the other hand, are the spa trends for 2014 as forecast from the US.
hospitalityInside is also thinking hard about the ITB in March: If you're still looking for a position in the hotel hall 9 - there are still two places free on our joint stand "World of Hospitality".
Lobster Experience is already thinking beyond the ITB: The marketing and consulting company based in Offenbach near Frankfurt, a luxury hotel industry specialist for 15 years is ready with an absolute first from March 9-12: the first luxury trade fair for German-speaking Europe, "loop"! Germany, Austria and Switzerland is one of the most important sources for luxury travel worldwide - so why travel to Cannes? We expect "loop" to become an important and trailblazing event and are pleased to accompany it as exclusive media partner. Corresponding reports will be available to all hospitalityInside users on our Page 1 under "Network".
And last but not least, a note for Cornell and EHL alumni: Save the date! The ITB/IHIF reception will be on March 4 in the Grand Hyatt Berlin. Details on our Page 1. – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of hospitalityInside in 2014! We wish you all a lot of power for both new and old challenges... After all, these wont be quickly resolved.
The most exciting issues in 2013 were the Internet, Big Data and the NSA. Rising distribution costs, data floods and spying are reflected in our large trend summary today, whilst the buzz word distribution costs also raises its head in reviews from Austria and Switzerland. Yet there are still other highly sensitive points: the increasing pressure of finance, the impact of international capital, dependence on mega tourist events... We don't look back on 2013 chronologically, but have asked ourselves what trend have sent what signals.
A decision from the Federal German Cartel Office on December 20 made for an early Christmas present for the industry: It prohibited HRS from using its best price clause. Rate parity has therefore been ended. Hoteliers can now stop complaining and are free to exercise their own distribution muscle. Just how such power packages might be framed isn't yet evident. Insofar, 2014 will be quite an exciting year!
Because the development of OTA has interested many experts, our author Macy Marvel today looks again at their activities and provides a whole gamut of facts and figures on Booking, Expedia, Priceline, TripAdvisor and Google Hotel Finder.
Peter Hense also shakes things up a bit: Our editorial expert for online law sets out the latest changes in data protection at the German, European and American level. The changes mean much greater obligations and liabilities on hotels.
The first edition of hospitalityInside for 2014 therefore comes with a wake-up call for the industry. My conclusion: The changes which are today imposed from outside on the sector are no longer to be compensated by a more intense service to guests. Over the coming years, the hotelier will have to wind down classic hospitality a little in order to free room for these new challenges. Read it yourself!
Did you already register for our Investment Barometer in cooperation with Union Investment? Join us! Click the banner on our front page! – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Outside on the streets and shops, the consumer hectic is now reaching its peak. Entrepreneurs struggle with the last deadlines and only their guests have time to enjoy leisure. For the hotel industry, a dynamic year draws to a close with lots going on. However, our final look back on 2013 will not appear until January. Experience has shown that journalists are unwise to draw their year-end conclusions too early... In our last edition of 2013 today, we again look at the IPO of Hilton last week, at the figures and Blackstone's deeper intentions.
On a journey on the Eastern Oriental Express my colleague Peter Hinze asks why the legendary luxury trains are in the process of pushing themselves on to the railway siding...
There are still a lot of travellers who don't wish to see any change. And this is one reason why Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz is still a popular address. For generations, guests have come - to staff who themselves have worked in the hotel for decades. Resident Manager Angelo Martinelli has been at the hotel for 50 years - and has his say today.
We close the year with a range of colourful news, knowing that the New Year will again bring lots of tougher news. For ITB 2014, we can announce the first co-exhibitors joining the "World of Hospitality" joint stand; it's also a new, colourful mix. More on our front page.
For hospitalityInside, a successful year comes to an end with new subscribers, cooperations, partnerships and high quality events, to many of which you, dear readers, have made a decisive contribution. We thank you for your goodwill and confidence in our activities and our reporting. And please, continue to let us know in 2014 what we might still improve.

The entire team at hospitalityInside with its editors, editorial experts, translators and layouters wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014!

The next edition of hospitalityInside.com will appear on Friday, January 10, 2014. - The full editorial ...

Dear Insiders,

Hilton went public one day earlier than announced and was able to bring in the expected 2.3 billion USD for 11.5 percent of the total shares yesterday. Now, people can look forward to Blackstone's further strategy. You will learn more details about the IPO next Friday: we do not belong to the media that hype IPOs without consideration. Therefore, we will only be providing the facts today.
Chedi Andermatt, W in Verbier, and InterConti Stilli Park Davos – three names that enrich the Swiss luxury hotel industry in these weeks. They should help, among other things, to attract additional guests from Asia. A glance at the locations and the challenges.
In order to collect 100 hotel evaluations, a hotel needs to go to a great deal of effort. At the prizeotel Bremen City, the comments of the guests disappeared over night. Qype and Yelp had merged in the background. prizeotel's CEO Marco Nussbaum is therefore explaining the complex relationships and the latest temporary court injunctions. This is further training from colleagues for colleagues!
Austrian resort hotel managers have to be inventive, like Alpenhotel Pacheiner as well as the flagship Hochschober in Carinthia... Many 5-star hotels are not even able to offer this degree of creativity and substance! Those who are not able to score with ideas just bring in Russian capital. In addition, this subject gives an insight on how top family businesses nearly wear themselves out between catering to guest demands and looking after the finances.
From the news: With the rebranding of the Concorde Hotel Berlin to a Sofitel, Starwood Capital weakens the Concorde brand even further. Brenner's Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden presents the first details about its new luxury medical spa located on 5,000 sq.m... The Austrians are travelling more again, gays & lesbians have become a strong target group for tour operators, and the ITB congress, which attracted 21,000 guests last March, presents the first major themes – among them the topics of the ITB Hospitality Day.
Did you already register for our new Investment Barometer in cooperation with Union Investment? Click the banner on our front page! - The full editorial ...