News & Stories

Paris. Just like Choice Hotels France did last July with the local provider Travel Wifi, the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile is now offering its guests the opportunity to stay connected in and outside its property. The provider is planning to offer this service worldwide.

Amsterdam. Some say, Google has no idea of hotel distribution and still has a lot to learn. The fact that the search engine is now truly turning into an OTA surprises almost no one. The online giant has just closed its "Hotel Finder" and is switching from its ad-controlled pay-per-click payment model to commissions. Some consider this step not very promising. After all, hoteliers had expected some beat of the drum in the form of an extremely low commission. Others expect Google's move to trigger even more competition, as the giant puts pressure on Booking.com and Expedia. It will have to relieve them of market shares while at the same time not losing them as major ad customers ... The statements and evaluations of Google, Booking.com, HRS, Fastbookng, TravelClick, HOTREC, the French Synhorcat/GNI, AccorHotels, and IT consultant Wilhelm Weber clash.

Paris. When announcing the opening of its own booking platform to other properties in June, AccorHotels vowed to recruit 7,000 partners around the world. Four months later, things are starting up slowly. The commission is set: 14%, plus 5% extra for the hotels, which want to benefit from the loyalty program.

Innsbruck. In an Internet conference with one of the European Airbnb managers, a US tourism professional and two Danish researchers discussed the positive approaches of Airbnb – and what still must be investigated.

Paris/Brussels. Since August 7, 2015 the famous "Macron Law", which gives French hoteliers total freedom towards OTAs, has been in force. According to article 133 of this law, all contracts between French hoteliers and OTAs signed before this date ceased to have effect. In other words, current contracts were automatically cancelled and new ones must be signed by both partners. A formality, but not for Booking.com. The OTA only sent an amendment to its hotel partners, which does not correspond to French law and the 'mandate' contract that the relationship between OTAs and hotels is based on. What was supposed to be a simple legal formality seems to have turned into a serious disagreement, which could lead to hundreds of French hotels leaving major booking platforms.

Cologne. Last Wednesday, Berlin-based start-up Conichi introduced an app that allows customers to save time and even use mobile payment, while hoteliers can focus on guest services and experiences. Cologne-based HRS is a strategic investor of Conichi.

Mountain View. A year ago, Google introduced a new app on "Google Now" which alerts users when prices for previously searched flights have dropped. The tool only works if holidaymakers' search was done on Google Flights. Based on this experience, Google is now moving from flights to hotels. Another headache for hoteliers is imminent.

Amsterdam. Due to the different parameters for the hotel industry and the Sharing Economy, Airbnb has to face increasing criticism and a growing number of legal suits. Australia is currently considering a licensing system as a means of control. However, Airbnb always strikes back; it is gradually occupying classic business segments of the hotel industry and contemplating yet more services. Even experts expect further creative ideas from this platform. Today, in the second part of Airbnb's large background story, Sarah Douag examines the current efforts of the company especially concerning business travels, as well as the behaviour of TripAdvisor, which seems to be copying the concept and demeanour of Airbnb.

Toronto. "Hoteliers and Airbnb could partner to create added value the customer always needs". Frédéric Dimanche, Director of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada is very positive about the two "rival brothers" finding a friendly relationship. He is also convinced that it's not fair to compare them in terms of valuation, business model, and certainly not in terms of cost structure. He advises hoteliers to literally live "hospitality" in future. "It's not too late to catch up," he encourages the industry – and explains his view in the following interview.

Amsterdam. Is it fair to compare Airbnb with hotel chains? Hoteliers are risks takers, huge job providers, taxpayers and most of them are responsible entrepreneurs. Airbnb is none of these. However, hoteliers accept the comparison with Airbnb even in public and in the media! The industry does not rise and object loudly; thus, the public believes in the comparison with which they are provided, namely that of apples to pears and does not keep apples and apples in mind. With the support of experts from the hotel industry and the distribution sector, hospitalityInside.com will explain this week and in next week's issue why Airbnb cannot be compared to a hotel chain, where the weaknesses of this argumentation are, why hoteliers initially missed the opportunity of "collaborative economy", and why it might not be too late.