Editorial

Dear Insiders,
From China, there are more individual tourists arriving. They no longer want instant noodle soup, shopping and sightseeing tours, but rather "local food" and "local experiences". The panel discussion about the "new Chinese" at the ITB hotel conference provided practical advice for hoteliers. A contribution worth reading for all visitors of our website, on page 1.
A bleak wind is blowing in Switzerland, in the MICE segment too. International mega conventions are even withdrawing from Davos, WEF founder Schwab is threatening once again, and a glaring investment bottleneck prevails in many MICE centres in Switzerland. By contrast, Lausanne is scoring now.
The hotel market in Dubai is booming again. The prices are increasing as well as the construction activities. Expo 2020 is a massive driver for investors and operators.
In Italy, Unicredit supports members of the two large hotel associations; in Munich, Mandarin Oriental invests a sensational 124 million euros in the expansion of the hotel and secures a trophy asset this way. Despite increasing indices in Germany for the year 2013, the German hotel association cautions against euphoria. While budget specialist B&B records higher turnovers in 2013, Dorint Hotels published their results for 2012 and reports high losses.
Among the online portals, Kayak is launching off in a new direction and also includes online travel agency offers. The Austrians analysed their destinations again, and Westin Hotels call for meditation: for 15 million dollars, they are now teaching guests and staff members how to relax online and offline. A nice PR campaign, in my opinion. Because who is going to measure the effect?
There are new Trend Questions for our hospitalityInside "Investment Barometer" in cooperation with Union Investment! Please sign in under this link and receive an invitation next Tuesday to participate! Those taking part will receive all evaluations. You can find a brief sample in our "Market Check" column.
Today's colourful selection of subjects shows how the waves of global markets are rolling towards the national markets and how national markets are profiting or suffering from this movement. Feel today's pulse of the market! – The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
From a journalistic perspective, the ITB 2014 brought no mega news; as a networking platform and place of inspiration though, the world's biggest tourism fair is still able to impress. I wanted to be inspired by a speech entitled "The World 2025" at the Future Day. I returned with goose pimples. Do you wish to see the world in 10 years time through a chip lens and move to full digital control?
The fun factor can motivate, as Ross Harding made clear on the CEO Panel at the "ITB Hospitality Day": The new arrival on the sustainability scene sensitises hoteliers and guests to his cause through parties, amongst other things. Luxury hotelier Bernhard Bohnenberger and Six Senses Resorts have been living luxury and sustainability for years in creative ways. Non-subscribers can also read this article on our Page 1 under "Network" along with the coming summaries of the talkrounds at the 9th ITB hotel conference. This service is provided exclusively by hospitalityInside.
Our article on Steigenberger Hotels today shows, as part of our sustainability series, which concepts classic hotel groups are using in their sustainability drives.
ITB travel analyses reveal: German travellers are obviously difficult to stop, and the Chinese set new emphases. Countries now relaxing their visa requirements - Dubai, India and three African states - now expect a veritable tourist boom. The EU intends to make a statement in this regard next week.
In the hotel market, restructuring and consolidation is meanwhile increasing: Suddenly interest from big names has been announced for a national Italian chain, and the Swiss main shareholder of Victoria-Jungfrau Collection would obviously like to have even more shares. Technology is also a prominent topic - though more on this and on other topics in the following editions. We've certainly brought enough home to think about.
For hospitalityInside and its 3rd joint stand "World of Hospitality", the trade fair in Berlin was again extremely motivating and inspirational. As was the 1st luxury trade fair "Loop" in Frankfurt to which I hurried as soon as the ITB finished. Today's edition provides only a short outline of the later event - more on all that next week.
The mood at the ITB 2014 was good to very good and provides hope for a strong tourism year. Hopefully that will put you too in a good mood! – The full editorial…

Dear Insiders,
Three years ago, the ITB stood in the shadow of Fukushima. This year, it's Ukraine. Today, the 48th ITB is still underway in Berlin. The mood at the world's biggest  tourism fair was good nonetheless. The world's individual crises are obviously unable to stop the upwards trend in tourism. Many visitors spent a lot of time at  ITB Convention again; the discussions at the ITB Hospitality Day were of solid quality and revealed a lot of details. More about it next week; today, our team is still underway for you in Berlin.
Sentiment at the IHIF investment conference, which always precedes the ITB, was even more positive than last year. Of the CEOs and top managers which I met there, I include today personal comments from NH CEO Federico González on the newest brand strategy of the Spanish hotel group. They underline its five-year plan with several million euros. And Puneet Chhatwal has again been talking about new fund partners and new plans.
Hotelier Samih Sawiris surprised on Monday with investments in two tour operators - after all, he must secure demand for his hotels in crisis countries. Independent of this, but inkeeping with the ITB, Susanne Stauss has analysed the flood of hotel brands from TUI and Thomas Cook and summarised her findings in a table. Just like in the hotel sector, there's also been a lot of movement in terms of brand for tour operators too. Non-subscribers can also this article in an abridged form in our new "hospitalityInside SPECIAL ITB". Click on the banner on our Page 1.
In the investment context, Beatrix Boutonnet looks at what new regulations on closed-ended funds have not yet managed. Many new names have given rise to new confusion.
Hilton, NH, Orient-Express and Scandic have published their annual results for 2013, and at the 25hours Bikini Berlin, owner and operators give details; for Accor, the new CEO Bazin has changed the structure and heads have rolled....
The ITB is followed smoothly by the luxury trade fair "loop" in Frankfurt - we will also provide the most important details from this new event for you next week. And certainly there'll be more from the ITB and IHIF. - The full 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 …