Dear Insiders,
The deal's done! Finally. Following approval from shareholders last week, peace has finally returned in the Marriott-Starwood drama. So how will things move forward? Both chains want to begin their joint future with the loyalty programme, then the small Starwood is to benefit from the sales and development power of its big brother. And: All 30 brands are to remain.... But of course, that will first be discussed with owners. What the two CEOs Arne Sorenson and Thomas Mangas plan, where they see mutual strengths and weaknesses is looked at by Sarah Douag this week, who cites from a protocol of investor meetings.
Kike Sarasola, founder of Room Mate Hotels and BeMate, has spun his own strong business model from the weakness of Airbnb&Co with a hotel chain and an apartment chain. Our Italian correspondent Massimiliano Sarti met the entrepreneur and hotel critic in Milan. He exuded happiness and made very clear statements, figures included.
There are businesses where a hotelier earns money without having to do much for it: e.g. renting out unused parking spaces. In France a start-up came up with a simple idea to do just that, and now has over 200 hotels from chains of various sizes under contract. Turning parking into a money machine. Innovative thinking helps. But this is hard, as was seen in the discussion round on Innovation Labs at the "ITB Hospitality Day". 25hours CEO Christoph Hoffmann stood up to criticism from non-hoteliers with his own ideas and viewpoints though.
Scenarios for the future are also provided by the new "Lausanne Report" presented at the Think Tank "Windows to the Future" by the Ecole hôtelière Lausanne this Wednesday - also before renowned CEOs. Macy Marvel gives an initial taste of the upcoming publication.
Despite the attacks, France remained Europe's number 1 tourist destination in 2015. Good motivation for its neighbours. Though Germany is also shifting from one record to another and will presumably also have a strong year in 2016. In Switzerland, the Grand Resort Ragaz ends 2015 with growth, despite the rise of the CHF. Orascom Hotels continues to suffer from the crisis in Egypt though.
Summaries from the ITB talks are available to all users on our Page 1, along with initial descriptions of our next large trade fair commitment - the Expo Real. The joint stand "World of Hospitality" 2016 is also well booked. The next deadlines are in May. – The full editorial…
