Issue from 5.6.2026
An industry caught between mistrust and motivation
Dear Insider,
Since the recent headlines about Revo and the break-up of the company this week, we have been contacted by owners who do not trust the insolvency proceedings. If any other owners or (potential) operators have anything to share on this matter – in confidence, of course – then you know where to find me. Everyone is now waiting to find out the names of the five groups that wish to operate the 120 hotels in future. In the meantime, we are continuing our research.
To change things up a little, today we're bringing you entertainment from Mews, home of the mavericks. At its annual "Unfold" event in Amsterdam, the software company first brought a quirky solo guitarist onto the stage, followed by a cartoonist who coaxed "the child" out of the 700-strong audience and sketched their emotions and dreams. This paved the way for the great 'magic' of the hotel industry, which still embodies the unconventional, but no longer lives it. The receptionist is the one who shapes that first impression; it's just that they've been trained out of being creative. It's just wonderful to see how man and machine come together here. Mews is redefining "AI" (Artificial Intelligence) – as "Authentic Interaction" (AI). Sarah Douag was delighted.
I took the opportunity to include my interview with Mews founder Richard Valtr alongside this article. It was already taking place at ITB, but now it complements the entertainment side perfectly, without anyone having anticipated it. For the past 15 years, Richard has been tirelessly encouraging hoteliers to put their trust in technology. The teams are just testing, testing, testing… One experiment has succeeded in consolidating operational and commercial hotel data in real time – the basis for the Reception Director! And so the circle closes, from AI to AI. "We're in for an incredible explosion of innovation," predicts Richard, before disappearing into his cloud.
Our news, which are regularly updated in VIP News and the News Mix, reflect the ups and downs of everyday life. A positive aspect is the drive shown by the two managing directors of the smaller CPH Hotels group (14 properties) and the larger Ringhotels group (65): Sabine Möller and Petra Weindl are first bringing the independent hotels under a single contract and may soon bring them under one roof as well. A deal free from ego, greed and expensive lawyers, driven simply by practical experience and for the benefit of family-run hotels. Well done, ladies!
The Spanish Fergus Group is also in the process of rethinking its approach. "The future of the hotel industry … does not lie in building more and more hotels, but in making existing hotels more accessible and efficient," is the credo of CEO Bernat Vicens. There are currently more refurbishments in the pipeline, but he hasn’t forgotten to invest millions in promoting his new brand, tent Hotels.
A new "Bad B ank" was launched last week by the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken in Germany. This is not yet an issue for the hotel industry. However, the industry should keep an eye on their risk assessments.
The Austrians are, by definition, perpetual observers: The winter of 2025–2026 has once again shown that the winter sports season is getting shorter. So it's time to take action.
This also applies to hoteliers who have never considered greenwashing before. On 27 September, an EU law comes into force: No more 'green' promises should be made to consumers (guests). "Green Hotel" labels are also deemed inadmissible. F&P Executive Solutions, one of our content partners, is explaining the basics today and offering two free webinars (details on our "Marketplace").
Germans put their mobile phones down more often – hard to believe. According to a study, people under 40 actually want more analogue things again. A positive trend. Useful: There is a new website for night trains in Europe. Amazing: Many employees would be delighted to be allowed to bring their dog to the office. It would be even more important to them than their parental leave.
And last but not least: The decline of pubs is harmful to democracy. Do we really need a political scientist’s opinion on this?
I hope you have a colourful and inspiring week.
Yours Maria Puetz-Willems
Editor-in-Chief
Mews unconventional: The magic of creativity shapes technology
Mews CEO Matt Welle and former Disney Innovation Chief Duncan Wardle made the same argument from two different directions. The industry's most urgent problem is not its technology. It's the lack of courage to use their people differently. A wake-up call for many hoteliers, who still think and act in silos, something that no longer makes much sense in the era of AI.
Embracing technology: "It's worth it," says Mews founder Richard Valtr
"Technology is not the enemy of the hospitality industry. The point of technology is not simply to blindly replace jobs or destroy other aspects of what makes hospitality what it is." Richard Valtr, the founder of Mews, still looks into the fearful eyes of those he is speaking to: This industry seems to have preserved conservatism right down to its very core. Change it!
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