Dear Insiders,
Choice Hotels' conventions are always a good place to meet happy franchisees. They're also good for learning about the practical tools which the American franchisor has developed especially for these franchisees. This is the opinion of Sarah Douag too after the European convention in Amsterdam this week. "We increased the budget, hired new people in sales and support, launched new revenue management tools... and making big investments is our top priority for this region," COO Pat Pacious said.
Europe is also in the sights of the Chinese. "The Chinese government no longer sees hotels as a big risk," the corresponding panel at the Expo Real hotel conference reported. Such statements push the increasing interest from Chinese investors, though don't explain how these investors think. Deals often fail as a result of a clash of cultures. China experts gave some valuable tips for initial interaction.
Baerbel Schwertfeger this week also recounts her impressions from an extended China trip and her stay in the Peninsula Shanghai. As architectural work, it's a reminiscence of Shanghai, as hotel a shelter for China's rich: For them, there's dim sum with chopped tiger prawn and sea cucumber, crowned with beluga caviar, for the first time produced in China.
Samih Sawiris is frying smaller fish in Andermatt: The planned Swiss destination resort is growing step by step, in spite of all prophecies of doom. After Chedi, now it's Rezidor's turn as second hotel operator. It is set to open in 2018. By then the Ski Arena Andermatt-Sedrun will also be extended. Birgitt Wuest describes construction progress.
Vienna International is to become "Vienna House"; CEO Rupert Simoner is changing everything - and has also created a new brand: Vienna House Easy. Initial details on the plans were provided yesterday. And in other news: Airbnb has introduced liability insurance for its hosts, AccorHotels opens further for external companies with its business portal, and Miles & More launches a hotel portal through a partner in the US.
Our autumn survey on the "Investment Barometer" in collaboration with Union Investment is still underway! Please remember to take part! Participants will receive the full analysis. – The full editorial..
