Moscow. The number of tourists and visitors to Moscow is down. Annually, tourism brings about 7% of the city's income, and despite the downturn more rooms are needed, Moscow media report.

Bern. According to initial preliminary estimates of the Federal Statistical Office in Switzerland, foreign travellers spent 15.6 billion francs in Switzerland in 2008, about one billion francs more compared to last year. Expenses of Swiss travellers abroad declined by 283 million francs to 11.8 billion francs - or by 187 million euro to 7.8 billion euro.

Brussels. The Rezidor Hotel Group opened the first Hotel Missoni last Monday in Edinburgh, UK - developed in collaboration with the renowned Italian luxury fashion dynasty Missoni. With its style of the iconic fashion and interiors label the hotel is said to set new standards among design hotels.

Augsburg. The keyword "News Mix" will bring to you tiny bits of news about considerable events of the past week. The following companies and destinations are mentioned today: ArabellaStarwood/Neues Schloss, CHI/Sharm el Sheikh, Iberostar, Rezidor/Turkey, Sofitel, Starwood Capital/Crillon.

Berlin. According to the current industry report of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, which was presented at the association's annual press conference in Berlin, 54.5 percent of the German hotel managers generated less turnover in the winter half year than the year before. Only a few believe in a quick turnaround.

Frankfurt. For the current year, Maritim expects a slump in sales in all brand hotels to 449.4 million EUR. According to current forecasts, GOP of all Maritim Hotels, excluding franchises, will fall from 136 million EUR in 2008 to 133.6 million in 2009.

Augsburg. The keyword "News Mix" will bring to you tiny bits of news about considerable events of the past week. The following companies and destinations are mentioned today: Corinthia St. Petersburg, Hapimag Sylt, Orient-Express Lisbon, Ramada Zurich, Raffles Kula Lumpur, W Barcelona, Wyndham Wingate/Wyndham Hawthorn Suites.

Paris. UK-based InterContinental Hotel Group retains its number one position in the world, surpassing the 600,000 room mark. According to the "World Hotel Group Ranking 2009", meanwhile Hilton Hotels recorded the largest growth among the top 10 at 9.3%, bringing their global room count to over half-a-million.

Rome. Roberto E. Wirth, almost a living legend as owner of the Hotel Hassler in Rome, has laid the formal foundation stone of his own hotel group. In future, there will be "Hassler Hotels & Resorts". He has hired a well-known man in the industry as CEO.

Basel. The Swiss tourism industry has been fiercely hit by the current world economic crisis. After the Swiss hotel industry celebrated its second best-ever winter season, forecasts expect a strong decline this summer.