News & Stories

Augsburg. Despite all bomb attacks, thefts and break-ins: hotel operators are unwilling for the most part to invest more money in their hotels for security. Investors often stonewall the entire issue from the beginning. Experts shake their heads regarding this lack of risk sensitivity. Finally, when push comes to shove, it is about the life of guests and employees, integrity of property, protection of security processes and avoidance of long-term image loss.

Wiesbaden. The terrorist threat for hotels is increasing. This year alone, terrorist attacks have caused several deaths in Indonesia and Pakistan. The security technology and training market is in motion. In Germany, experts are developing a particularly secure type of hotel. The London-based consultancy Frost & Sullivan found out: There have been terrorist attacks on hotels for more than 100 years. Hotels are considered soft targets that are a lot more vulnerable than other buildings with comparable frequency. In addition: terrorist attacks on hotels belonging to international chains generate more media impact than threatening local buildings. The police are unable to protect hotels, which is why extensive private measures have to be taken.

London. As Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, Sir Rocco presides over an ever-expanding European network of luxury hotels. With a small management team, Rocco himself undertakes a gruelling schedule of ensuring that the 11 hotels maintain the high service levels expected of any RF Collection property. hospitalityInside's UK correspondent Gillian Upton met Sir Rocco in London for an update.

Berlin. "Meininger - the urban traveller's home" is the motto the ho(s)tels of the Meininger Group in Berlin are using. The new name signifies a move away from the hostel towards a hotel. Meanwhile, Meininger isn't just present in Germany, but also in international cities such as London and Vienna and will soon also be in Amsterdam. Today, the group counts nine hotels, with a further five in the starting blocks. Meininger is one of the most successful low budget hotel groups.

Vienna. It was the starring hour in star history: As recently reported, Austria and Germany have agreed on a joint star classification system which will apply as of 1 January 2010. Even Switzerland is on board, but will implement the changes later. The minimum criteria used up to now were extended to form a mixed system. Details were presented by the hotel associations last Tuesday in the Viennese Grand Hotel. 170 years after the "father of the stars", Karl Baedeker, began to distinguish travel destinations with stars, the German, Austrian and Swiss hotel classification system has been unified.

Munich. Wolfgang M. Neumann, CEO of the Arabella Hospitality Group in Munich since mid April, is still sounding out the situation. Internally, he took an initial strategic decision in connection with the much discussed "Arabella Collection".

Wiesbaden. In the election year 2009, the subject of taxes has Germany in its grips. Despite all the efforts of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association though, a VAT reduction for the hotel industry remains doubtful.

 

Bern/Salzburg. Even the Swiss luxury hotel industry hasn't managed to escape the grasp of the economic crisis. Swiss Deluxe Hotels, with 38 five star hotels Switzerland's leading luxury hotel association, will publish concrete figures next week. Certain is that in the first three months of 2009, accommodation and sales figures fell everywhere. Projections for the current year are cautious. In Austria, it seems the problem is simply being ignored and hoteliers refuse to comment, at least to the press. 

 

Lausanne/London. The first boutique hotels originally appeared in the 80’s, evolving rapidly into a well established niche sector in the hotel industry. Design hotels, affordable chic hotels, chain/branded boutiques and fashion hotels - grasped and well received by the lifestyle traveller, they became popular, not only by this select group but also by independent hoteliers who saw an opportunity to provide a differentiated product while achieving higher returns. How robust is this service-intense and costly product in the current crisis? An analysis full of figures and facts.

 

Berlin. "It's nice to be in a country in which the crisis doesn't have such a big influence!" These were the words with which Ritz-Carlton President and CEO Simon Cooper addressed his audience in the Ritz-Carlton Berlin just a few weeks ago. With this short statement he also hinted at the following: grumbles and groans are relative. The second largest luxury hotel group in the world - with 72 hotels in operation and a further 30 projects in the pipeline - is currently seeing falls in sales, occupancy and earnings are falling in the high two digit figures in almost all its hotels, wherever they are across the globe. Meanwhile, the CEO has begun to make calls to the company's key accounts personally. He, himself, is now "on the front", as it were. In an interview with hospitalityInside.com, Cooper explains exactly how Ritz-Carlton views the crisis and what the 5-star group is doing to master it.