News & Stories

Madrid. In the year of the Spanish tourism boom, 2016, the hospitality industry faced several social and professional groups that claimed to improve its labor conditions. The rebound of the key performance indicators comes along with a greater depreciation of salaries and decrease in the rights of many workers in departments such as kitchen, laundry, concierge, reception or restaurants. "The department most affected by the new labor conditions is the housekeeping with its chambermaids," explains Antonio Ruda, Coordinator of Hospitality of Comisiones Obreras, one of the historical Spanish unions. Currently, in Spain there are 96,000 to 98,000 chambermaids in the Spanish hospitality sector.

Brussels. Last month, the Brussels Region revamped its tax system and gave a Christmas gift to local hoteliers by refunding the city tax they had paid over the past 13 months. In the meantime, the Region is levying a new and unique tax of 4 euros for all and asks Airbnb and Co. to start paying up.

Paris/Berlin. Tired of being given the run around by Airbnb and other Sharing Economy businesses when it comes to taxes, France has decided to take action. Last week, members of the National Assembly in Paris voted in favor of new legislation which will force platforms and websites to actually report the annual income from all their users. Independently from that, recent data from Switzerland show that Airbnb is still putting a lot of pressure on the country's hotel industry.

Rome. The Italian tax credit reserved for hotel renovations has been extended till 2018. Just in time before Matteo Renzi's government resigned, the Parliament approved the national budget law.

Hamburg. What the actual construction of the Westin Hotel cost in the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is known only to the City of Hamburg. But compared with the total cost of €789 million for the concert hall and what is, at present, the world's best acoustics, the cost of the hotel can certainly be described as "peanuts". In the end, the total cost for the building ran to ten times the original estimate of €77 million. The pride felt by Hamburg's residents with regard to the new landmark and the massive public appeal of the building has suffocated all criticism of this for the moment though. It was all the more exciting then to stay there last week - and to be able to take a look at the still unopened Elbphilharmonie. A project of particular magic, and with a hotel which faces many very special challenges.

Hamburg. The ship sounded its horn, Hamburg's Mayor Olaf Scholz made his speech... This was the official opening of the Westin Hotel at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg on Wednesday, four weeks after a brilliant start, driven by the great curiosity of the inhabitants of Hamburg as well as tourists about this international architectural concert hall masterpiece. Every day, 9,000 visitors come to visit their new landmark; on the weekends, there are even 14,000 visitors per day. They arrive at the "Plaza", which is the area in front of the stairs to both concert halls as well as the entrance to the Westin Hotel. The promenade at the Plaza on this level allows the visitors to walk around the glass hotel.

Barcelona. From New York to Barcelona, the noose is tightening around the neck of apartment rental companies. Last week, Barcelona City Council announced it is going to fine Airbnb and its competitor HomeAway 600,000 euros each for listing unlicensed properties.

Amsterdam. Is Airbnb losing its mojo? The home rental platform is currently facing several legal issues in many American cities and it seems that its arguments are not holding in front of judges anymore.

Amsterdam. While people choose to dine out more frequently, most of them avoid hotel restaurants. No access to the street, sterile environment, formal service, over-priced dishes and sometimes a combination of all, prevent hotel restaurants from making extra revenue with locals. A few brands, like for instance, French Mama Shelter, British The Hoxton or American Dream Hotel make their bread and butter with locals. But they remain exceptions in a hospitality world where hoteliers mainly focus on rooms. Yes, margins are higher on the accommodation part, but F&B, when done properly, can certainly bring extra cash as well as a great reputation to the property.

New York. New York passed a bill making it possible to fine illegal renters up to 7,500 dollars. Airbnb failed to stop it and is now suing the city. Ignoring local regulations – is this the end of Airbnb's rapid expansion? Yesterday Airbnb reacted: surprisingly, the platform now allows the registry of hosts.