Pressure and disruption, capital and social issues

Dear Insider, 

The Swiss countryside is as colourful as the Swiss hotel schools. The majority of them are owned by profit-making companies. There were also M&A deals in this segment. The number of students from Asia and Russia is falling; this is partly due to the strong Swiss franc and the relaxation of banking secrecy. Some hotel schools have also done themselves a disservice, for example through overly ambitious construction projects. Our author, Prof. Macy Marvel – who lectured at the EHL for 18 years – describes the changes and the current pressures facing these world-renowned educational institutions.

Charlie MacGregor, the founder of The Social Hub, loves disruption. He’s been thinking out loud where the revenue figures will be and what social communities and with what values will continue after his death. As well as two of his 21 "hubs" (hotels), he has also built a "Social Park" next to them in Rome and Florence. He sees a new "purpose" that brings locals and visitors together. The Social Hub in Rome is worth €13.8 million. How does it all fit together? Sarah Douag listened intently to this socially minded maverick. 

Max Schlereth too once went his own way; he set up Derag Serviced Apartments in Germany. These have long been known as Living Hotels – and now this courageous entrepreneur is converting a historic building from the Nazi era in Hamburg into a luxury boutique hotel. In addition, a new upscale brand for living has been announced.