News & Stories

Cologne. As hotels begin to reopen after official closures intended to impede the spread of coronavirus, the Dorint Hotel Group has decided to resist the disproportionate restrictions on occupancy and the discrimination of guests imposed by the authorities. The group has therefore filed a lawsuit against the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In addition, 200 hoteliers in the country have decided to take legal action. As the first federal state, Bavaria allowed full occupancy in hotels from May 30.

Munich. Achat Hotels marketed it rooms as offices with WLan, B&B and Fleming's Hotels invited medical services to use their properties to accommodate staff... Are these just PR gags or is the conversion of a hotel really that easy in bureaucratic Germany? Lawyers answer with facts. Different support is offered by new initiative "Helping Hotels": empty hotels are ideal to isolate people at risk.

Berlin. The hotel and catering industry in Germany has been floored. Two days ago, the government pushed through its EUR 156 billion corona aid package, but despite this, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association and the German International Hotel Association this week made an urgent appeal for further support, better tailored to the specific needs of the industry, in a letter to the Chancellor. Quite exceptionally, politicians want to act very quickly, yet in practice there are many impediments, e.g. from house banks. By 14 April, everything is to be worked through. "But that's too late," Markus Luthe, Chief Executive of the IHA, and IHA Chairman Otto Lindner want politicians to know. An interview on the current state of affairs and on the tension in the industry.

Berlin. What is force majeure? This is one of the most frequently asked questions after the ITB cancellation. The Munich law firm Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein answers it. And the consulting firm mrp Hotels also wants to help the industry. Exclusively for hospitalityInside readers, they have compiled tips on how to deal with the crisis and what measures are available.

Brussels. Yesterday's decision by the European Court of Justice in the case brought by the French tourism association AHTOP against Airbnb Ireland strengthens the position of Airbnb and weakens local authorities. Competition between the online accommodation intermediary and the classic hotel industry thus remains unfair.

Augsburg. As of January 2020, the hotel guest's physical signature on the registration form will no longer be a legal requirement in Germany. Instead, two new procedures will be available for identifying the guest and for collecting his or her registration data. Though the new legislation is anything but a 100% solution, it is a step in the right direction.

Bad Kreuznach. In the legal proceedings involving 20 hoteliers from Rhineland-Palatinate against the President of Dehoga Rhineland-Palatinate, the Regional Court in Bad Kreuznach yesterday ruled in favour of the president. The hoteliers are considering an appeal.

Berlin. Munich Regional Court has ruled in favour of HolidayCheck in proceedings against Fivestar for fake reviews, thus sending a clear signal against the increasing number of purchased reviews. Taking on the fakes is an uphill struggle though. For as long as these companies continue to find customers in the hotel industry, fake reviewers appear little bothered by such judgements, as the initial reaction from Fivestar shows.

Cologne/Dortmund. The biography of fund initiator and real estate investor Anno August Jagdfeld has light but a whole lot more shadow. He’s currently embroiled in a large legal dispute. He’s suing the Dortmund-based insurance company Signal Iduna for record damages of one billion euros. Signal Iduna is one of the principal investors in Fundus Fonds 31 Hotel Adlon. His accusation: Defamation. But for the court, the facts are not clear.

Berlin. Already four years ago A&O Hotels complained to the EU Commission – so far unsuccessfully - against the lease-free leasing of a property in Berlin to the German Youth Hostels. Now the European Court has decided to initiate an examination procedure.