News & Stories
Amsterdam. Actively seeking midscale and upscale hotels to join their rapidly expanding portfolio in the EMEA region, Choice Hotel Group signed a strategic partnership with Dutch group Borealis. Both entities plan to grow together. For Choice, it is perfect timing.
Dubai. It was the hyper announcement at the Arabian Travel Market last week: the fifth largest residential developer from Dubai, the Arab family Azizi, is entering the hotel industry in a big way. With 50 hotels, 20,000 luxury rooms in five years and the next mega tower including hotel in Dubai, which will be only slightly smaller than Burj Khalifa. COO is the German Michael Zager.
Rimini. Rome will see a real surge of luxury hotel offer in the next three years. Especially international companies are interested in entering the Eternal city – if only for strategical reasons. 16 out of the 19 luxury properties currently in the pipeline belong to global brands. Such product increase might however not be commensurate with an increase in demand.
Berlin/Bangkok. Berlin-based HR Group continues its expansion course and buys shares in Thailand in the operating company Absolute Hotel Services based in Bangkok, which currently has 37 hotels and 34 in the pipeline. HRG wants to expand in Asia soon and also expand its presence in Europe with the new partners.
Stockholm. The plans were already presented in 2020. Now the Swedes want to finally step on the gas with Scandic Go Hotel and enter the economy segment. The first hotel will be launched in Stockholm.
Berlin. The new industry report "Hotel Market Germany 2023" summarises the ups and downs of the industry in 2022 with many figures. Meanwhile, consumers are in a better mood but still cautious, further sources reveal. Meanwhile, there is a slight all-clear in the recruitment of new employees. Overall, however, the German economy will stagnate this year.
Amsterdam. While most European countries are still lagging behind, the Iberian Peninsula has proven to be a force. Portugal achieved record increases in both the number of guests and overnight stays. And in neighbouring Spain, hoteliers managed to higher prices without losing business. Despite inflation, investors keep their faith in the destinations.
Hamburg/Affi. For Hamburg-based DSR Hotel Holding, the acquisition of a majority stake in the Italian group Mira Hotels & Resorts, which currently has four hotels, is not a mega step, but it is important for expansion in the Central European leisure market.
Vienna. At the end of March, the HOTCO conference, centred on hotel investment in Central & Eastern Europe, kicked off with a tour of four new hotels in Vienna, including the Jo&Joe Hostel, the Amauris Vienna, the Leo Grand and a Radisson RED.
Amsterdam. Choice Hotels is completing the renewal of its brands and is now also giving the Ascend Hotel Collection in EMEA a brand refresh. It remains unclear whether this is also connected to a portfolio streamlining.