News & Stories

Vienna. In Germany, online travel agency HRS has renounced the enforcement of the rate parity for the moment in view of the ongoing proceedings with the German Federal Cartel Office; in Austria, however, they seem to be applying other standards and – and blocking the "troublemaker" hotels. Complaints come from the Austrian hotelier association OEHV.

Nuremberg. The NSA is apparently leaving traces behind: Nearly 70 percent of the Germans worry about the protection of their personal data and their privacy. With all interviewees, the trust is particularly low in online offers and social networks. The Germans primarily fear financial damage through data abuse.

Duesseldorf. In the age of smartphones, laptops and tablet PCs, Internet access belongs among the standard service at many hotels. But in Germany, 40 percent less hotels offer this service than in the USA.

Hamburg. The boom on the tablet PC market is unabated. More and more Germans already own their own tablet PC or plan to buy one. Now, iPad & Co users are attracting special attention from marketing and distribution experts, in particular because they are considered to consume more than average and have strong purchasing power. Is this right?

Cologne/Munich. Sabre Travel Network and HRS/Hotel Reservation Services have closed a multiannual distribution agreement this week. Meanwhile, the HRS subsidiary, hotel.de, has paid out its minority stockholders, and internet mediators and hoteliers have sent a reminder of more fairness at a networking event in Munich.

Paris. The French Review Commission for Trade Practices issued last week its opinion on compliance with the French competition law. Contracts between hoteliers and OTAs must be more fair it said, adding thinking about a way to tax online operators commissions.

Cologne. Should the German Federal Cartel Office finally force HRS to say goodbye to the rate parity, Managing Director, Tobias Ragge, wants to complain. He said this in a talk round during the 1st "Corporate Travel Forum" in Cologne on Monday.

Vienna. HotelTonight is already present in 150 destinations worldwide. Since 25 September, the system has also been trying to establish a foothold in Austria.

Hamburg. The distribution of smartphones in Germany continues to rise unhampered. An increasing number of smartphone owners are discovering the application of mobile Internet devices for surfing and for mobile commerce.

London. InterContinental Hotels Group recently struck a compromise with the British Office of Fair Trade, which had accused the world's largest hotel group of limiting competition on online hotel rooms.