News & Stories

Rome. Just three days before Christmas the Italian Cartel Office adopted a measure penalizing TripAdvisor LLC and TripAdvisor Ital Srl to pay 500,000 euros for the publication "of deceptive information regarding the sources of reviews".

Brussels. Another day, another battle for European hoteliers. This time, it’s about the never-ending story of the Package Travel Directive. Last week, in the European Competitiveness Council, the EU governments agreed on a "general approach" on the reform of the directive as proposed by the Italian presidency of the EU.

Magdeburg. From 13 December 2014, German hoteliers face new bureaucracy - in this case from the EU: From this date, the new duty to provide allergy information enters into force. That is, of course, unless Germany enacts its own legislation or implementation regulation by then.

Offenbach. A disabled applicant applied for an opening in a company on two separate occasions: Initially, he explicitly made reference to his disability, though does not do so in the second application. In both cases, the applicant failed to secure employment. Can he now sue for discrimination? These were the facts considered by the 8th Senate of the German Federal Labour Court.

Berlin/Munich. Is Motel One the only motel allowed to call its city budget hotels "motel"? Can this name even be protected? Two hotel companies are arguing about this in Germany.

Offenbach. At the very latest since the entry into force of the General Equal Treatment Act and the protections for people with disabilities contained therein, it is unlawful to ask a job applicant about the status of his or her disability. This question alone points towards intended discrimination of the applicant. Yet what is the legal situation once the applicant has been employed and the employer is later forced to terminate employment. Joachim Jungbluth, hospitalityInside's editorial expert for Labour Law, on a question which recently came before the Federal Labour Court Germany.

Rostock. First tax evaders buy their way to freedom, then Bernie Ecclestone and then fund initiator Anno August Jagdfeld. All the while, we're told you shouldn't try and strike deals with the German justice system. But: The deal with ex-onwer of the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm was suggested by the Public Prosecutor. The investor of the yachting harbour residence Hohe Duene, on the other hand, has been involved in court proceedings since March.

Berlin. A closer look in the files now shows: The recent court victory by real estate fund initiator Anno August Jagdfeld is not a "first class acquittal", as the Jagdfeld Group announced at the beginning of July. As reported, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne refused to open main proceedings for the fraud claim - as did the Regional Court in Aachen at first instance. The fraud concerned guarantees, rent waivers to the benefit of Adlon Holding and sales losses due to construction works. Beatrix Boutonnet examined the decision in detail. An end to the legal wranglings for Fundus Group is not in sight, despite Jagdfeld securing a victory in this case and this particular dispute now being drawn to a close.

Vienna. A harsh setback for holiday apartment suppliers: Following the USA and Germany, Austria has now advanced an additional bar on the renting of flats through portals such as Airbnb and the like. The Supreme Court of Judicature has rendered a clear judgment.

Cologne. This issue has hovered over Anno August Jagdfeld like a Damocles sword: Court proceedings for fraud in connection with the Fundus Fund 31 threatened to see him put in prison. Now, an appeal before the Higher Regional Court of Cologne threw out the claim.