Dear Insiders,
Greece is now linked in everybody's mind with the debt crisis and refugees. And both are impacting on tourism there. Massimiliano Sarti went in search of the facts. This week, he gives us the figures and identifies the changes. Athens is suffering in particular. Even if tourist numbers are rising, it appears that the Sharing Economy is peeling them off quite successfully. Occupancy is rising slightly, but the ADR shows sharp falls. The Greek islands tell a different story though. For 2016, expectations are generally high. But is this realistic?
In Brussels, I saw red last week: lots of Rezidor RED-red. From the entrance, into the lobby and in the rooms themselves. Yet the brand alarm is working. Investors are already taking notice. And the concept for the millennials makes sense at second glance, even if a lot of training on the job is necessary. The global pilot project has been set, and Rezidor falls in line with the "limited lifestyle" hotels.
How does the future look for Rezidor though - after the purchase of the parent company Carlson by the Chinese HNA group? CEO Wolfgang Neumann can't yet take part in speculation, whilst colleagues at NH Hotels certainly see the benefit of a merger of NH and Rezidor in Europe. And: Is there are fight on the horizon between HNA and Jin Jiang?
Sarah Douag was told where NH Hotels intends to go with its now officially presented NH Collection. Examples from Benelux and explanations from Maarten Markus show the way. "We are back in the game," he says.
In one week's time the Football European Championships will begin in Paris, but room rates are fluctuating sharply, even at match locations. A new study draws attention to the hidden gems in CEE. Union Investment Real Estate found out how many investment-relevant hotels are there in Germany. At least, in Germany revenues generated in the hospitality industry continue to rise. Also on the rise - just in case you've not yet read our Breaking News from Tuesday - is uncertainty at Four Seasons as a result of radical personnel changes.
Yesterday morning, I was in Gdansk in Poland as Austria's leading developer UBM announced the foundation of the new management company "UBMhotels". It will not only develop, but also operate hotels in future. UBM COO Martin Loecker brought Martin Loecker brought a wellknown name along: former IHG manager Rolf Huebner. More on this next week!
Last week, we at hospitalityInside welcomed a new member to our team: Karoline Giokas, our new editor. She brings experience in hospitality journalism with her from her time with a specialist magazine in Munich. I would be pleased to introduce her to you personally at upcoming events.
Have you already taken a look at the Green Hotels event that we will initial in collaboration with hotelbau on 22 June in Munich? Take a look on our Page 1 - the countdown for the last registrations has begun. - The full editorial ...
