Dear Insiders,
Better deals than crisis - that was one of the core sentiments from the many conversations I had with developers, investors, consultants and hoteliers at this year's Expo Real. The real estate and investment fair was two days of turbo paced business.
Sometimes, there was a feeling that there was no tomorrow. Sole consolation: Behind closed doors, insiders were beginning to speak of market players who were pushing the hotel real estate scene faster towards the next bubble with their inflated prices. Many experienced hotel developers and financiers are therefore exercising greater caution. For chains with new brands and hard-working franchisees, the Expo Real was a real party. If there were properties still available, they would all expand even quicker.
Our joint stand "World of Hospitality" once again proved to be a magnet for the sector - at the tables of the 23 co-exhibitors, discussions were lively, as they were at many other hotel stands nearby. We therefore asked a number of exhibitors for their impression.
Premier Inn presented the model room with which the success-spoiled British group intends to conquer the Germany market. In my opinion, the product is much too conservative for Germany. At the hotel conference there was lots of talk of dynamic markets, of digitalisation and of IT-supported services. We will report on these and many other issues and trends in more detail in our next editions.
The 18th Expo Real reported 2.4% more visitors than in 2014. This also reflects the pulse of the sector.
If you didn't have time to participate in our "Investment Barometer" in collaboration with Union Investment, then you can still participate online. After the Expo, the question is more relevant than ever: How are investors reacting to increased competition in the German hotel investment market? Take part, click on this link! In return, you'll receive the complete analysis.
But there are other topics today too: Italy is working on its "Macron" law against the OTAs, Germany has relaxed its Registration Act, in London ratios for the hotel industry are stagnating or falling, in Cuba hotel groups are queuing up... And our correspondent Baerbel Schwertfeger visited an Amanresort in China in which guests only stay for the Facebook pictures. Luxury lifestyle Chinese style. – The full editorial …
