Germany too experienced a good tourism year in 2023, and neighbouring European countries are very hopeful that this will continue. This makes them all the more concerned about the current German depression and recession. Several readers have poured their hearts out to us over the past few weeks, so today we are launching a series entitled "Germany falters". We have collected statements from Germany experts and managers from other countries.
To kick things off, we let the CEO of Germany's largest chain HRG have his say. Ruslan Husry has focused his entrepreneurial ambition on the land of discipline and reliability since 2008, but now he sees the country drifting away. He hopes that Germany will find its way back to quality, responsibility and courage for the future. Jan Hein Simons in the Netherlands observes the Germans from the Dutch perspective. The Director Hotels Benelux at the consulting firm Colliers clearly identifies the weaknesses of his neighbours, gives advice and comments: "Many Western countries, including the Dutch, have similar problems ... For us the glass is always half full, with the Germans it's always half empty."
Confidence and optimism, on the other hand, characterise the current mood in France - at least in touristy Paris and the Île-de-France region. The 2024 Summer Olympics are already making the cash registers ring, and just like in the hotel industry, Airbnb is now raising its prices: €2,000 for a stay of just two or three nights. Airbnb (like Accor) is an official partner of the Games and promises the city a billion in revenue over the Olympic period. Nevertheless, Airbnb has been severely criticised.
Absolutely critical is what you're required to be when it comes to AI. A professor at New York University has tested for herself how biased AI can be in the selection of applicants and how humans can also trick the software. The buck stops with the companies: But businesses are under so much pressure when it comes to recruitment that they overlook certain questionable aspects.
And once again there is criticism - in Italy, where the authorities are accusing OpenAI and ChatGPT of breaches of data protection. The good thing about it all: People are beginning to engage more intensively with the hype surrounding digitisation and technology. Let it continue! This is also true of the robotics sector, which is constantly evolving, both in terms of sales figures and the manoeuvrability of the machines.
Incidentally, many employees want to learn how to best use AI, as market research shows. Other experts are suddenly registering the huge electricity requirements of data centres due to the sharp rise in AI applications. Yet the power networks in Europe are often over 40 years old! On the other hand, AI can make life easier: Perhaps we will never have to learn a second language again? These little insights are provided today by our reports in the - public - Marketplace and in the Picked section.
And in February, we are already thinking about October and Expo Real 2024: You can now register for our "World of Hospitality"! Benefit from Early Bird prices until 15 March!
I wish you a successful week.
Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
Editor-in-Chief
