Shaping a new profile

Milan. Born almost accidentally in the second half of the 1990s, Italian Planetaria Hotels has chosen a special way to develop business. The hotel collection reflects an idea of bespoke hospitality, able to change each place into a unique setting in the heart of the finest Italian art cities or in charming locations outside towns. Most of the four or five-star establishments are located in important historical buildings being restored with great care. The group's strategy is based on owning all assets but decentralizing operations and creating "Planet Friends", an informal network with other hotels.

Milan. A study proves: Italy still has unexplored potential in the midscale and economy segments, as well as in some non-core destinations. New brands may adapt conversions of particular buildings and should be willing to consider variable lease contracts as an acceptable compromise to management contracts. The latter are not very popular in Italy. Nevertheless, the penetration rate of chain hotels in the Italian market has grown from 4.1 percent of the total room supply in 2003 to 13.6 percent in 2015. All in all, the study is proof of the regeneration process of the Italian hospitality system.

Bologna. The expected merger between Italian UNA Hotels and Atahotels is a matter of fact. UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA announced last week that its subsidiaries Atahotels SpA and UnipolSai Investimenti SGR SpA signed agreements with UNA SpA regarding the acquisition.

Turin. Allegro means cheerful and light-hearted. The Italian Allegroitalia Hotels & Resorts want to score with this feeling. The hotel group, which was founded by Piergiorgio Mangialardi in 2010, currently has six hotels operating and two projects in the pipeline under the two hotel brands Allegroitalia and Espressohotel and under the overlapping Condotel brand. Also, the group plans its entry in Hamburg as well to establish a small chain in China. But the hotel structure is difficult to understand.