News & Stories
Oestrich-Winkel. In Germany, hotel properties have become an asset highly in demand; however, the number of experts in the field of operator properties is still limited. A new and extended university course focuses on hotel and hospitality industry properties.
Munich. Hotel general managers today need sound management and financial knowledge. A possibility in acquiring this is a work-accompanying MBA programme. But up to now, it is only Kempinski Hotels that has utilised continuing education measures with lasting effect. The attempts by Lindner Hotels failed. These two examples demonstrate how different approaches can influence the career-supporting projects. The increasing trend of paying for a MBA out of one's own pocket is being seen worldwide.
Berlin. The negotiations of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association with the Food, Beverages and Catering Union failed: in Eastern Germany, the standard wages were gradually to be adapted to the new statutory minimum wage. NGG wanted to introduce the minimum wage already next year. Now, the hotel association is complaining. German chain hotels are keeping a low profile concerning comments on this matter.
Brussels. About four weeks ago, on June 24, 2014 the European Commission along with the European hotel and restaurant association HOTREC and other partners launched the very first "European Hospitality Skills Passport". This new tool, available in 24 European languages aims to simplify the recruitment process in the hospitality and tourism sector in Europe. It’s said to be innovative, interactive, easy to use and complements the traditional CV. Young people eager to join the hospitality industry might be loving it! Sarah Douag talked to Isabel Sobrino Maté, Public Affairs Manager at HOTREC about the new passport as she was closely following its development and launch.
Wiesbaden. The struggle for the best employees has been going on for quite a while, and online commentaries relentlessly uncover how companies deal with this valuable asset. The only thing human resources heads can do is to learn how to sell their company to the outside and ensure that their promises are kept in everyday business. "Employees decide nowadays who acquires the most talented," says former Accor manager Anne Schueller, who is working solely for companies in different industries currently. This new kind of participation is done via social media. This is confirmed by Prof. Dr. Marco Gardini. They both wrote a new book on this issue – recommendable reading matter as a further training reference for heads of human resources departments.
Bern. The Swiss citizens officially rejected the minimum wage initiative last Sunday. With this, the hotel industry has also breathed a sigh of relief: The civil decision has prevented a massive cost hike. Now in Germany, however, price increases threaten after the minimum wage decision.
Amsterdam/Frankfurt. Half a year after IHS GmbH, the parent company of the IFH Training Institute from Frankfurt, had changed owners, the IFH subsidiary has now been resold. Does this now also threaten the other family members, Worldhotels and Trust?
Rome. The Italian tourist national contract has been renewed. But not all parties involved have signed it yet.
St. Moritz. It was December 18, 1963 when Angelo Martinelli crossed the threshold of Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz for the first time as the Corviglia Club Chesa Veglia's Commis De Rang. Fifty years have passed since then, but the figure of this true master of ceremonies is still there. Now a Resident Manager, he welcomes the guests in his own personal manner, reserved, but friendly at the same time: a human icon representing global hospitality called Badrutt's. "In my first few months in St. Moritz", admits Hans Wiedemann candidly, Angelo's current boss and the hotel's Managing Director, "I thought our regular guests would never take notice of me. They all turned to Angelo without hesitation. I then understood I had to earn their esteem". Massimiliano Sarti, our Italian correspondent talked to his fellow countryman Angelo Martinelli about fifty years in luxury service.
Munich. When investment managers take over the management from hotel groups, they are quickly lost in the tragedy of failure, Leopold Hueffer states. Hence, the expert in assessment of top executives warns against placing the hotelier on the second string as a service provider – unless, the company is up to its neck in debt. The financial and service cultures? The doctorate economic psychologist holds that these two worlds clash with each other there. And in his opinion, there are not CEOs who are capable of both. hospitalityInside author Baerbel Schwertfeger, also a psychologist, has posed concrete questions to the expert for top executive assessments in Zurich and Frankfurt.