News & Stories

Munich. Platforms like Airbnb allow the short-term rental of private accommodation. A review by the mathematician and computer specialist Murray Cox in 50 major cities across the globe shows that it's more than that though. Those impacted by increasing gentrification could soon extend not only to tenants, but also to the hotel industry once the boom is over. No wonder then that the discussion round "Airbnb & Co.: The love of the new P2P platforms to the hospitality and housing market" met with lots of interest at the Expo Real hotel conference last Tuesday. Many representatives of the housing sector, from town and city planning and the hotel industry followed the panel discussion very carefully. Yet the real subjects of the discussion were conspicuous by their absence.

Berlin. This week, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association reacted to accusations of a TV show, which criticised a quarter of 1,000 hotels for advertising with "fake" stars. Now, the controls concerning hotel classifications will be tightened.

New York. Strong leadership pays dividends in the digital economy, where continuous innovation, rapid decision-making, and a global mindset are essential to success. Companies that get digital leadership right perform better in the marketplace.

Berlin. Only in June, in the course of the amendment of the German Telemedia Act did the Federal Government of Germany announce its willingness to suspend the liability as a co-liable party for interference concerning WLAN. But now, everything is different again and the European Court of Justice is also involved in this matter.

Innsbruck. Close to nature - but please, in ever more comfortable accommodation... Demand for safari tents with wooden floors and integrated bathroom and for bamboo houses with jacuzzi are growing. Camping has become glamping - camping with a touch of glamour. Glamping continues its ascent. In the mountains and the coast, in Germany as well as in Croatia and France, hotels are investing in camp sites with additional services. Successful camp site providers are also increasingly taking money in hand to improve sites. Camp sites are becoming holiday complexes.

Eschborn. Extended project management, new clients in all segments and further European expansion: The prospects for the procurement company for hoteliers, Progros are excellent, its expansion goals are ambitious.

Locarno/St. Moritz/Milan. In Switzerland, the dissolution of the euro peg seems to be metabolised. At least in the hospitality sector. But not without paying a heavy price, while further challenges worry Swiss hoteliers: the rising cost of human resources and the lack of early snowfall in mountain destinations. The Swiss National Bank's decision to remove the euro peg has definitely been disruptive. On the other side of the Alps, beyond the Italian border, the context is different: no currency challenges here. But still some similar concerns. Massimiliano Sarti met three Italian-Swiss hoteliers – from the Swiss Belvedere Hotel Locarno, the international operator Kempinski at the Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz and the Italian TH Resort Schloss in Pontresina. The general managers talk about their daily challenges in business – from the implementation of dynamic pricing, RevPar losses to labour costs and the absence of snow. Meanwhile, TH Resorts closed their hotel in Switzerland.

Vienna. As of 1 May, an increased VAT rate has been in force for accommodation in Austria: The rate of VAT applied to accommodation has increased from ten to 13 percent. Right up to the moment the reform entered into force, industry representatives did everything in their power to prevent the hike. This was ultimately just as futile as efforts in opposition to measures imposed mandating the use of cash registers. Though the latter measure took aim more at the black market in small restaurants than it did in hotels. The hotel industry is now trying to keep the impact of the VAT hike within strict limits. The system itself is chaotic.

Paris. In a time of concentration and pressure in the distribution sector, general managers and hotel owners are open to any opportunity, which will result in generating more revenue without costs. To their ears, the hotel parking solution offered by the French start-up sounds like music. It allows anyone searching for a parking spot in congested city centers or airports/train stations, etc. to access hotel parking facilities, which are very often underused. The good news is, it costs hoteliers zero investment and effort.

Wiesbaden. For the first time, AccorHotels Germany is promoting a female, Daniela Schade, to the Management Board. Christopher Knable has left Katara Hospitality; Werner Knechtli now is Owner's Representative of the Kameha Grand Zurich and the Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort in Riva del Garda as well as the New Century Hotel Frankfurt Offenbach are operating under new managers.