News & Stories

London. The Germans and the Spaniards prefer to play it safe and book last minute as early as possible. Entirely in contrast to the French or Britons.

Berlin. Up to now, there are 4,000 Apps for the travel industry and new ones are arriving almost daily. This is also reflected in the "Sprungbrett Wettbewerb" by the German Verband Internet Reisevertrieb, for which there have been more applications by start-ups than ever before. Many Apps or Internet platforms are targeting the hotel industry.

Columbia. US software specialist Oracle swallows Micros Systems and, with this acquisition of innovative technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, gains an entry into new markets.

San Francisco. In the future, the traveller can check-in, open their room door and pay online through the new App by the HotelTonight last-minute supplier. The first trials are being run in the USA.

Luxembourg. The battle for the popular ".hotel" Top-Level-Domain has been decided. The Internet address has been awarded to the industry. The decision that became public two days ago was preceded by a long-standing application procedure.

Paris. Last November, the French Review Commission for Trade Practices urged politicians to think about a way to tax online operators commissions. Now, their concern was heard by the government: the Minister of Economy, Arnaud Montebourg is pursuing booking.com. In a French TV show, Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin found clear words about OTAs.

Amsterdam. Booking.com launched an own website for its range of holiday houses and apartments.

Rockville/Munich. As the first hotel company, Choice Hotels International is beginning a partnership with TripAdvisor – namely for the new mobile "TripAdvisor Booking Feature ".

Cologne. HRS has integrated a new tool into its hotel self-administration with which the hoteliers can influence their listing – through the commissions that they themselves can now raise individually. With this, HRS follows booking.com and others.

Paris. Accor puts digital technology at the heart of the customer experience: the new "Welcoming" system is a digital-only but personalized service. It is said to be implemented until the end of 2014 and to push direct bookings.