News & Stories

"We have size and size matters when it comes to speaking as one to the city council or the government," says the new President of the Brussels Hotel Association, Willem van der Zee. BHA unites more than 90 percent of Brussels hoteliers. The industry has been seeing more hybrid lodging solutions in the past, the rise of boutique hotels and more. Today, Bleisure continues driving the positive development. But there are challenges. 

The catering and hotel industry in Germany continues to struggle with sales losses, higher costs and VAT increase. The desire to invest is close to zero, as almost half of the businesses expect their economic situation to deteriorate further.

The hospitality sector navigates its way out of the challenges posed by the pandemic, and unexpectedly we see an optimistic overview of the industry's resurgence particularly in Europe and the Benelux region. The future looks bright, but hoteliers must strategize in response to evolving market dynamics. 

Where the accommodation industry is focusing on streamlined concepts, more and more holidaymakers are relying on restaurants for their meals. However, there is already a lack of restaurants in many places. Destinations fear a decline in holiday quality.

After lengthy debates and amendments, the regulation on short-term rentals has passed the EU Parliament. The most important measure of this regulation, which has been eagerly awaited by hotels in Europe, is the registration requirement for hosts.

Since 2020, around 48,000 businesses in the hospitality sector have closed across Germany and 6,100 have filed for insolvency. Experts estimate: There could be even more this year, as the catering industry is suffering greatly from the current crises.

Whether corona, multiple crises, climate awareness or new poverty are the causes remains to be seen. But in the 54th year of its existence, the travel analysis (RA 2024) is recording unusual changes. Especially when looking back at German holiday behaviour in the previous year. 

The clear upward trend in travel bookings is making the industry euphoric. Consumers are primarily using online channels for this purpose - now including 50 to 69-year-olds. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to the digitalisation of offers.

When Travel Charme Hotels, a small, fine German resort group, was sold to Hirmer, a Munich-based clothing retailer from outside the industry, in 2018, it sounded like a promising new approach. Six years later, Hirmer Hospitality sold the operating companies of the 12 hotels and resorts to DSR Hotel Holding, which is backed by a tour operator and a food giant.

Good news from the European resort world: almost all of them have exceeded their 2019 ADR by double digits, although occupancy rates have mostly remained low. Coasts and islands remain popular, but new destinations are also opening up.