News & Stories

Frankfurt/M. Closed-ended funds are struggling. Last year, they managed to collect a paltry EUR 81 million from private investors in Germany. At one time, they managed EUR 13 billion per year. Following recent scandals and excessive commissions, the sector is now reinventing itself. The sector is now government-controlled like securities, has refined its profile and has a clear intention to focus fully on core competences - especially in the real estate sector. With such changes abroad, hotels and other niche products such as serviced apartments and student accommodation have again moved into focus. A snapshot of the current mood.

Vienna. The minimum euro exchange rate for Swiss francs was abandoned two weeks ago on 15 January by the Swiss National Bank. The impact is now also being felt in Austria. Of course, the Austrians are hoping to see increased numbers of guests from Switzerland, though at the same time they fear price rises in the hotel and catering industry. Financial experts and hoteliers are, however, currently much more concerned with the question of higher costs of loans taken out in Swiss francs. Errors from the past return with a vengeance here.

Bern. The decoupling of the Swiss franc from the euro on January 15, 2015, made already expensive Switzerland yet another 20 percent more costly overnight. Not only did this measure stir up the share and real-estate markets heavily, it also entails a great many consequences. The biggest problems resulting from the decoupling are an increase in the price of Swiss products, a drop in tourism and, primarily, currency speculation with the franc with respect to funds. The latter is turning out to be a highly problematic issue – particularly where closed funds are concerned. But every coin has two sides. Beatrix Boutonnet puts the effects on the financial sector in perspective.

Berlin. Hotels aren't necessarily on banks' preferred lists of finance partners. This was confirmed in a discussion of experts from mortgage and cooperative banks, savings banks and institutional investors in Berlin last week.

Milan. Rocco Forte Hotels recently announced a strategic partnership with Milan-based Fondo Strategico Italiano Spa. The Italian sovereign fund is investing about 76 million euros in the UK-based hotel group and is taking a 23-percent stake in the hotel group in exchange. The hotel association Confindustria Alberghi is surprised to see Italian money flowing into a UK company but Rocco Forte Hotels stresses its will to expand in Italy – but not only there. The first city names in the US and Asia are popping up in Rocco Forte's business plan.

Cologne. The Dorint Hotel Maison Messmer in Baden-Baden paid its lease debts this week and continues to remain a Dorint Hotel. The action for eviction and notice of termination have been pulled from the table as a result, Dirk Iserlohe from E&P Holding explained to hospitalityInside.com yesterday.

Dortmund. For the first time, the Dortmund fund initiator, Dr. Peters, is planning a hotel special fund for institutional investors. In its beginnings, the issuing house had funded a few hotels, but had subsequently focused on ships and aircraft. It is now returning to the hotel industry.

Warwick. Firms are far less likely to take on more debt when their CEO is compensated through options according to new research.

Vienna/New York. After 8 years, it's time again: The American Hotel & Lodging Association has presented a revised edition of the "Uniform System of Acounts for the Lodging Industry". It is the 11th update since it first appeared in 1926. Whilst at first glance, there are no major changes to the P&L rules and to standard reporting, the many minor amendments are considerable and take good account of the changes experienced by the hotel industry over the past decade. "Globalisation" is the buzz word here. Michael Regner, partner to the consultancy MRP hotels in Vienna, explains the current system in today's guest contribution.

Doha. Katara Hospitality teams up with the InterContinental Hotels Group to bring five iconic IHG properties in key European cities back to full glory.