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...

Dear Insiders, The subject of "mobile devices" is busying the hotel industry more and more. The talk round at the ITB hotel conference took a look at such devices and, in particular, at the "Apps". The summary accessible to all in our Network section.I also recommend the interview with Marcus Nussbaum from prizeotel: He's among the young managers who have said goodbye to expensive distribution systems such as GDS and catalogue distributers. He focuses on online platforms, social media and mobile devices. "We push everything that secures us the highest contribution margins from the rate!" he clearly says.Tour operators in Germany, Austria and Switzerland presently speak with one voice: Bookings for summer 2010 are up! The trend is particularly strong for more expensive hotels and all-inclusive offers. Nevertheless, the tour operators claim that hoteliers are not taking full advantage of the distribution potential.The German Hotel Association also announced yesterday: The downward spiral has been stopped! But companies such as Victoria-Jungfrau Collection reported red figures for 2009 this week. Hot of the press this morning: Carlson and Rezidor officially confirmed the sale of Regent Hotels to a group in Taipei. Details under News Mix. Further interesting news: The Concorde hotel takeover has collapsed, and in Austria hotels must now adhere to a new sun-bed ban for minors.Many of you create proximity to guests by "corporate publishing" – e.g. by customer magazines. These magazines move closer to guest lifestyles. This sensitive communication channel needs professional partners such as balleywasl* brand communication which today gives a best practice example – accessible by everyone – on "Solutions". - The full editorial...

Dear Insiders, Thirty percent of all critical hotel reviews refer to the rooms. This is what an internet search engine found out. Then, guests preferably continue moaning about the food. Nothing new actually, but now it has been proved with figures! Toilets are hotels’ business cards – this is also an old saying. A new “culture” has emerged. Today: a kissable toilet.Activities for climate protection are reasonable, but they are also a question of context. This became clear during the panel talk about the challenges of the climate change at the 5th ITB Hospitality Day in Berlin. Hoteliers should question the value chain as well. This article can be read by everybody under “Network”. Healthcare real estate also requires lots of background knowledge. The first workshops by Kohl & Partner proved it. From today on, we will be addressing the problems in several articles. How healthcare real estate and tourism/hospitality can come closer together will be shown at a workshop in Munich in July. Please find more information in the magazine and under the banner on our homepage. Consultants noticed that investors are often not familiar with the USALI changes in connection with cap clauses. Here is an update for you. The alumni of the Cornell Regional Chapter EMEA are already looking forward to the meeting in Paris in May. One highlight: the discussion about the hotel market and hotel real estate with Dean Johnson and industry experts. Externals may also take part Find more under “Network”. Our hospitalityWhisperings this week pass on rumours and curiosities such as those about the Dolder and Steigenberger, while another article deals with Aman, Regent and Fairmont Raffles. - To the full editorial...

Dear Insiders, Budget "makes the world go round"… Whether in Europe, India or Africa - soon everywhere will see clean, smart accommodation being offered for those of us on a smaller budget. More from the discussion at the 5th ITB Hospitality Day, to be read here under "Network".The ITB is hardly over and already we're preparing for the next fair: The Expo Real in Munich. At Europe's leading commercial real estate fair, hospitalityInside plans to introduce a joint stand for hotel operators, investment companies and project developers for the first time. The move should increase awareness and help to save time and expense in these days. More under "Network".At the IHIF investment conference, developers discuss an old subject anew: What offers greater benefit for the investor – the brand hotel or the independent hotel? Talk round participants there were passionate in their opinions.Tia Vassiliou would like to see equally passionate customers. As communication trainer, she works together with companies to ensure efficient statements and dialogue. A Newcomer portrait.The new event directives compiled by Gerhard Bleile also concentrate on clarity and efficiency. Many companies still don't know what their annual event expenditure is. This provides the hotel industry with an opportunity! A Happy Easter! - To the full editorial...

Dear Insiders, The year 2010 started with a slight upswing; hotel developments seem to increasing as well. But the IHIF "Developers Debate" indicated: Like never before, hotel groups are now trying to support financings...Others, however, are relying on creativity. Due to this "software" approach, the innovation panel at the ITB Convention ITB Hospitality Day became an unusual panel discussion! The trend subject – readable for all at "Network".Starting today, our magazine will be looking into subjects and trends of Social Media on a regular basis. In future, our new editor, Goetz Primke, will explain these complex connections in an understandable way. For today, we start with a basic article on "What is Social Media?"Five years ago, Olaf Steinhage entered the hotel real estate market and founded hcb hospitality concepts. In the meantime, his business has established itself firmly at the interface of both segments. A portrait.Special properties are in the focus of the first symposium, which will be initiated by the leading tourism and hotel consultancy from Austria, Kohl & Partner, in July in Munich. The subject is health(care) properties. What are the requirements, which locations are suitable, what do investors, developers and operators have to keep in mind? hospitalityInside is the event's media partner; there are special conditions for subscribers. Readable for all at "Network".The news contains more first-hand information from Sol Meliá's CEO Gabriel Jaume Escarrer and from Starwood's EMEA President Roeland Vos, collected at ITB. Moreover, there is a new booking portal for renting day rooms... - To the full editorial.

Dear Insiders, After the disastrous year 2009, the signals of the IHIF and ITB in Berlin are positive – even if nobody has been able to grasp the faint signs of a new trade cycle so far. But people are still looking for further guidance. The increased number of visitors at the ITB Convention is proof of this. With 1,400 visitors, the 5th Hotel Conference, the ITB Hospitality Day, established a new record. 500 participants alone came to the Innovation Panel – just as if it were a symbol for finding new ways.Today, on our network site, we are publishing the summary of the discussions at the hotel conference. Every Friday, six times in a row, you will be able to read a new report here. For starters: the CEO Panel with David Fattal and Wolfgang Neumann.In Berlin, we also met Carsten Rath, founder and CEO of Kameha Hotels, and were also able to obtain more details about the design and high-tech refinements of his newly opened lifestyle and event hotel in Bonn, as well as more information about his new projects. The region of Rhine and Ruhr is dreaming of beautiful and fully occupied hotels. The region is now "European Capital of Culture" and the hotel industry hopes for new impulses. A former hotel manger, Christian Wuelfing, designs a large crowd puller.Among the news: more ITB news, the travel analysis Germany, the 2009 results of Design Hotels, Maritim and Seetel, two new budget hotels and new Marriott structures. More news from IHIF and ITB next week! - The full editorial….