Brussels/Berlin/Rome. As a general rule, there is not a great deal that penetrates to the outside; behind the scenes, however, the officials within the European hotel industry are exerting great effort in defending the hotel industry against business-damaging influences stemming from the market and from the policy. Particularly counting among them in these current times are the battles against the giants of the online travel agents and the new competitors from the grey area of the private room portals. However, many topics are also dictated by the EU, which is why the European umbrella organisation of hotels, restaurants and cafés, HOTREC, also sits in Brussels and makes use of the quick paths the politicians. "The EU sees the voice of the hospitality industry in us," HOTREC President Kent Nystroem emphasises the growing perception of the industry lobbyists. They have learnt over recent years to argue with hard numbers and facts.
