News & Stories

Munich. Franchising in the German realm has only a chance in the triangle between the owner/investor, tenant and franchisee. The panellists at the Expo Real Talk Round were happy to compare this interplay to a long marriage with which one could sit on false promises or follow clear rules. Who fosters what expectations and how do they respond was discussed by Grand City, Choice Hotels, RIMC and a solicitor. Core statement: The franchise will only be a successful model when all partners are playing with open cards.

Bern. The Swiss hotel industry will retain its special value-added tax rate of 3.8 percent until the end of 2017. This was decided by the National Council last Monday.

Berlin. The hotel management company, Grand City Hotels, has also opened its central purchasing to companies beyond the group, from private hotels to small hotel groups and up to restaurants.

Berlin. The joy of the German hotel industry at the victory achieved this summer in the fight for the bed tax was short-lived. In the meantime, new hardship threatens once again on the value-added tax front. The embarrassment within: The SPD politician who kindled the discussion is still the President of the German Tourism Association DTV. A short summary and a current "map" of the bed tax in German cities as well as the current "European map" of the value-added tax.

Munich. The fourth generation of the Geisel family characterises the face of the hotel and catering in Munich today. And in the meantime, many guests are not aware at all that it is the brothers Carl, Michael and Stephan Geisel standing behind the legendary private hotels. They simply just enjoy: At the Michelin-crowned restaurant of the Leading Hotels' Koenigshof directly on the Stachus, at the young, 4-star Design Hotel Anna across the way and at the respectable, the first-class Excelsior with its earthy vinothek a hundred metres away or at the smart business hotel Cosmopolitan ten minutes away. The slogan of the Geisel Privathotels, "17 stars, 4 hotels, 4 restaurants: 1 family" is met without exaggeration. Preferably, Michael Geisel would abolish his expensive gourmet restaurants, but they keep the hotels attractive. With pleasure, he would even open other hotels in the heart of Munich, but the city makes it difficult. He passionately pleads for the third runway at the Munich Airport, but opponents are holding out against it. He wishes even more for international guests in Munich, but the marketing of the city leaves much to be desired. A summer conversation with a quality-conscious, German mid-range businessman over a glass of wine and Japanese creations on sample porcelain that he brought back from Japan.

Berlin. While Europe's economy is battling dark clouds, many hotel markets are experiencing a boom. The pipelines are full. But that is not all. Given the good results, international investors are gradually enjoying this asset class more and more again. And moreover, the market does not lack money, as a good many million Euro are looking for safe asset havens in the meantime. These criteria seem to be fulfilled by special real estate classes like hotels thanks to their performance figures. An overview of the status quo at mid 2012.

Paris. Committed to remain the first destination in the world in terms of visitors and trying to catch up in terms of revenues, France has decided to strike strong by renewing its hotels classification. Last ranking is 25 years old and French hotels never been audited since. Voted unanimously in 2009 by the French parliament, the program will be completed next Monday, July 23rd. From then, hotels which are not certified will no be able to use the old star ranking any more. And Atout France, the French Tourism Development Agency will only promote classified hotels abroad. The first scandal under the new French government is rising. Sarah Douag, our correspondent in Paris, about the deadline's impact and how the General Manager of Atout France defines the agency's role.

Hamburg. The Novum Group from Hamburg founded in 1988 has strongly increased its expansion rate in recent times. Today, its already 29 hotels belong in eight German cities. Other takeovers are planned. "The group would like to grow with lasting effect and establish themselves in the national city hotel industry with its three different brands, Novum Hotels, Centrum Hotels as well as the Design and Style Hotels", state the Managing Partner, David Etmenan and Chief Financial Officer, Torsten Scholl, who has supported the management of the family company since 2011.

Berlin Since two days ago, a new "2 Star Superior" sign has gleamed in the entrance of the ibis Munich City West. It is the first hotel in Germany to receive the new sign from the Hotelstars Union in the course of the European standardisation.

Munich. Compliance possesses a very high value within the construction and real estate industries, particularly in real estate purchasing and contract awards. The application of Compliance Management Systems is on the rise. A study demonstrates this.