News & Stories

Kruen/Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Angela Merkel has a good memory. Dietmar Mueller-Elmau has no less than Chancellor Merkel to thank for the decision to use Schloss Elmau in Bavaria as host to the G8 summit 2015. The hideaway & spa resort in the idyllic Elmau valley would shine a global camera light on the entire region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the equivalent of a lottery win for the area as tourism has fallen quiet over the past few years – especially since the Americans began staying away. Many hotels in Munich and in the Allgaeu region will benefit from the summit which will attract 7,000 journalists alone. With its philanthropic past, its status as luxury hotel today and its secluded location in a high valley, Schloss Elmau has all the features required to host a high-profile political summit. A "hotel in the hotel" will also be set up alongside Schloss Elmau, a new retreat with 12 identical presidential suites. Dietmar Mueller-Elmau, owner of Schloss Elmau, and his direct hotel neighbour, Jakob Edinger, owner of the spa resort Das Kranzbach, explain why they will reserve their hotels for a full four weeks exclusively for the summit.

Berlin. On October 16, 2013, the German Federal Government enacted the new Energy Efficiency Ordinance. By 2016, the annual primary energy requirement for new-build properties is to fall by a further 25 percent. In the real estate world, EnEV 2014 has met with a mixed response. Many view the ordinance as a bitter pill.

Wiesbaden. Is it all hot air about Facebook, HolidayCheck, Twitter & Co? The entire hotel world meanwhile uses social media and review portals, yet the benefits of this form of communication appear to be few. hospitalityInside.com asked a dozen hotel groups and individual businesses this simple question: "Have you ever received a sensible suggestion from a comment on Facebook, another social network or other review portal which was then successfully implemented by your hotel/group?" The result was - in short - devastating. Only two groups provided interesting information: Lindner Hotels and Vienna International.

Bonn. Contrary to hotels, serviced apartments are still a young segment. In the worldwide hospitality industry, the businesses which focus on offers for long-stay guests make up less than two percent of the market. This means: there is still a large potential for growth in this segment. At the same time, however, serviced apartments have to master great challenges: there is no unified name, there are no unified standards – and travellers search for accommodations for extended stays amongst 1000 terms but not under the desired ones. At the 4th "Serviced Apartment Camp" in Bonn last week, there was a glimmer of hope. Five large providers sat at one table for the first time: Accor/Adagio, Adina, Citadines, Derag Livinghotels, and Marriott/Residence Inn discussed common features and differences, figures and emotions in a friendly atmosphere for three hours. The new spirit ended with a promise by the five players to draft a guideline for the segment by next October in order to attract investors.

London. The exposures by the news magazine "Spiegel" last week about spying on hotel reservations has sent cold shivers down everyone´s back but ultimately, it is only one piece in the grand spy game puzzle. However, the hotel industry is also not particularly known for its especially good data protection.

Hong Kong. It has a touch of James Bond: The limousine careens along its way from the Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong in the glittering shopping quarter of Kowloon to Aberdeen, a former industrial quarter on Hong Kong Island. Dilapidated factory buildings everywhere, no one on the street … Here sits the technology brain of the five-star hotel group. As the only hotel company in the world Peninsula Hotels disposes of its own research and technology department that solely looks after the optimisation of the technology in the guestrooms. Moreover, it is less about the latest gadget, but more about a simple and well thought-out usability and the integration of different systems. A visit to a somewhat different "garage company".

Lausanne/Berlin. Large online platforms for private accommodation have recently came in for criticism. Meanwhile, they are also confronted with regulation. As a result, three large providers - 9flats, HouseTrip and Wimdu - have joined to form an interest group. Mega player airbnb is not on board.

Berlin. GBI follows the success of its student apartments with two more streamlined apartment concepts, one a serviced apartment concept and the other for long-term tenants. As locations for the serviced apartments for business guests, it's the usual suspects that are on the agenda.

Munich. All global brands have meanwhile proclaimed their intention to expand by franchise. For them, the move harbours no risk. Yet much to their annoyance, this model still meets with opposition outside those countries with an Anglo-Saxon tradition. Economically stable Germany stands out here. On first glance, franchise systems differ only very slightly. For operators and investors though, it makes a substantial difference whether the franchisor focuses exclusively on the role of brand-provider and distribution partner or whether the company also provides operating expertise and financial assistance. Christian Walter, Managing Director of PKF hotelexperts Vienna, grilled the five big players in this segment - Accor, Choice, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott und Wyndham - at the "Hospitality Industry Dialogue" at the Expo Real.

Berlin. After the surprising electoral defeat of the FDP, former coalition partner in Germany's last government, at the German federal election on September 22, the German hotel industry again fears for the future of the reduced rate of VAT enjoyed by the industry.