News & Stories
Frankfurt. In order to reduce costs effectively, companies must foster financial responsibility in staff too. Proper data analyses also help in keeping expenses down. A further approach for improving cost-efficiency is structural optimisation. These are the findings of a study on cost management in international companies.
Wals. The Austrian purchasing company for the hotel and restaurant industry, Hogast recently announced preliminary results for fiscal year 2009/09. The figures showed an increase in sales of 5.6 percent to 585 million EUR for the fiscal year 2008/09 as per 30th April. The result is the 33rd record year in the history of Hogast which stretches back just as far. Hogast, which has 1,951 members and 87 staff, had to be content with an increase in single figures for the first time in twelve years.
Moenchengladbach. The hotel world talks about average occupancy, average room rate and about the "RevPar", the revenue per available room. But only few know that the "RevPar" in particular is not as easy as it looks. This becomes particularly apparent when looking at the various types of hotels, from budget to luxury. Wouldn't the "TrevPar" be the more reasonable instrument? A differentiated view on a term used widely in the industry.
Wiesbaden. Outsourcing of housekeeping services is now a widespread feature of the hotel industry. Nevertheless, hotels relying too heavily on external service providers may be in for some nasty surprises. Minimum wages and police raids are currently exerting increased pressure in Germany. Qualitative improvements must and can be steered from the hotel. The situation in Austria is similar. Two head housekeeping consultants, one from Germany and one from Austria, give their opinion on the matter. They also provide consulting services and offer further training through courses and the "housekeeper's diploma".
Frankfurt/M. Despite the economic crisis, progros Einkaufsgesellschaft still records growth. The company, whose services are used by about 600 German hotels for professional purchasing, managed to increase total sales by another 15 percent in fiscal 2008. For the current year, the company expects similar positive development as demand for purchasing solutions aimed at cost improvement is on the rise. In addition, the company has founded the progros Akademie for teaching know-how in purchasing.
Munich. Hotel project planning rarely runs according to an efficiency-oriented, integrative plan. Compared to a relay race, the "batons" are not perfectly handed on within the added value chain, says Michael W. Hartmann, Senior Vice President Market Management Hospitality at Siemens. "The individual protagonists don't work together anymore. From investors to general contractors, on to consultants, developers and individual suppliers as well as operators, all parties involved usually talk at cross purposes. This results in friction and drives up costs." This is why Siemens has designed a matrix making it easier to recognise the intersections between the parties involved. In a guest article for hospitalityInside.com in two parts, Michael Hartmann explains the problems and provides investors, developers and hoteliers with concrete hints on sources of errors as well as possible approaches to rectifying them.
Berlin. Germany, Austria and Switzerland intend to pool their efforts to develop a mutual set of criteria for hotel classification by 2011. The move is intended not only to harmonise classification but also to increase synergies between the three countries. Trade associations from the three countries have now placed their strategic partnership on a formal footing at a meeting in Berlin.