News & Stories

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.

Goslar. This year, Sonnenhotels celebrate their tenth anniversary with the Doerschel founding family. Four years ago, however, it seemed like the family would never again be solely responsible for the group. But today, Managing Director Karina Doerschel manages eleven hotels in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol from the headquarters in Goslar.

Paris. Is this a joke? Surprised were indeed French hoteliers when they heard about the last report presented earlier this month to the Parliament. In charge of finding ideas on financing holidays for kids coming from low revenues families, a Commission came out with 21 proposals. The first one concerns luxury hotels.

Eschborn. About one-third of the total expenses of a hotel fall on the direct purchasing costs. Nevertheless, there is much in this area that still lies in disorder. A current study on the purchasing behaviour within the German hotel industry defines weak spots, but also indicates clear improvements and trends.

Duesseldorf. The German SPD candidate for Chancellor, Peer Steinbrueck, persists with his opinion that the reduced VAT rate for the hotel industry must be revoked again. The CEO of the German Lindner Hotels Group, Otto Lindner, is defending the reduction with great dedication on all fronts. After the TV debate between the candidates for the post of Chancellor last week, he has found an amusing approach for renewed advances in Steinbrueck.

Salzburg. When in Salzburg, the hotelier and gastronomic family Fleischhaker specially reserves the breakfast times in the recently open "Gluexfall" until 2 p.m., when the Austrian gourmet magazine "A La Carte" dedicates a 116-page issue exclusively to "Breakfast in Vienna" and when the largest hotel chain in Austria, Austria Trend Hotels, establishes the new positioning of its 31 properties on its "Good Morning Master", it is obvious: Consumers are increasingly engaging in the search for a sophisticated start to the day. Hoteliers and restaurateurs are discovering a new business segment in them. They are increasingly stepping into competition in the cities of Austria and the competition within the resort hotel industry has been underway for quite some time. And the cost of goods rises and rises …

Hong Kong/McLean, Virginia. More and more hotel brands are competing to attract the growing number of rich and ultra-rich. But, how narrow it can become in the top segment is now indicated with the breakdown of the niche by the new luxury brand index that was introduced one week ago at the Ecole de hôtelière Lausanne: This index arranges the luxury niche into three categories - "Upper Upscale", "Luxury Chains" and "Luxury Exclusive". Within this – supposedly – uppermost segment, all are promising quite a special service and experience offer. This begins long before the arrival of the guest and continues later at the hotel. hospitalityInside.com wanted to know in detail what the super-service is all about and set off on the search for that "certain something" with two well-known, high-end brands: The luxury veteran Peninsula Hotels and the Waldorf Astoria, the relatively young elite brand from the Hilton family. Luxury against luxury – a comparison.

Paris. Looks like French hoteliers unions are not the only ones fighting against "illegal vacation and apartment rentals". New York City Council as well, chases whoever violates hospitality and State laws which dictates that residents can’t rent out all or part of a property for less than 30 days. Not respecting them could lead to court and eventually to severe fines.

New York. An outcry in the US just reached the German media: journalists ranging from those at "New York Times" to "Suedeutsche Zeitung" were shocked about the "end" of room service in the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel with its 1,000 rooms. Behind the headlines, there is a central issue affecting the entire sector: the search for optimal guest service at reasonable prices. Read the true reasons given directly by the Hilton New York, while the German Hilton colleagues at Frankfurt Airport, the Airport Sheraton Frankfurt Rhein-Main, and Marriott describe their view of things and talk about costs in general.