IHIF 2024 in Berlin simply burbled along, lacking both investors and several well-known exhibitors. The halls seemed full by the hour, but more often empty. The participants swam in shallow discussions. All in all, there was a lack of profile, flavour and people. Little performance for a horrendous ticket price of over 4,000 euros.
The first glance at the positive occupancy rate in the Serviced Apartment segment in Germany in 2023 is quickly put into perspective by the decreasing length of stay: Short-stay acted as a lever. But new concepts are lifting the mood again.
"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.
Mini-messages about noteworthy events of the last week(s): Accor/Alba, Apulia Hotels/Calabria, Atlantic/Heidelberg, B&B/Naples, Design Hotels/Bad Gastein, Dt. Hospitality/Kelsterbach, Ennismore/Berlin, Fabilia/Liquidation, Gambino/Bamberg, IHG/Rome, Keyz/Rome, Marriott/Sardinia, Motel One/Mannheim, NH/Frankfurt, Palladium/Venice, PPHE/Berlin, Radisson/Berlin.
