News & Stories

London. Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts are continuing their worldwide expansion unbridled. The takeover of the deeply indebted group has already been set up; however, it has announced 21 new openings, as hospitalityInside reported last week. John Griffin, Vice President Worldwide Marketing, answers three important questions in this context.

Kempten. Kempten county court has issued an arrest warrant for a television producer for his failure to provide a TV plug as contractually promised to a hotelier.

Frankfurt/M. For the first time, the sales, marketing and distribution organisation Worldhotels starts a global training service for the management and the employees of approximately 500 member hotels all over the world.

Avignon. For five years Christian Windfuhr led the fate and fortunes of the Maritim Hotel Company. The experienced hotelier has now left the company. Windfuhr on his future and that of the German hotel industry.

London. Hilton International Hotels' new Chief Executive, Ian Carter, has announced a new structure for the business, effective 1 July 2005. One of the most important introductions is the new Commercial Operation Group, which will comprise the Sales, Marketing, eCommerce & Distribution and IT functions. It's President will be Juergen Fischer.

Heilbronn. At the Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, the board members of international chains discussed the importance of brands for the first time. They seem to know that not every group or hotel has enough potential for becoming a brand. In their publication, Prof. Dr. Christian Buer and Andreas Gross discuss creating, developing and evaluating brands.

Las Vegas. Wingate Inn President Keith Pierce told franchisees attending their brand conference last week that the chain's two-phased enhancement plan, called "The Wingate Experience," will sustain the brand's competitive advantage.

Frankfurt/M. Just 14 months before the FIFA World Cup 2006 the countdown has begun for the hotels. The first lots have been drawn and the venues and dates of the first and the final games have been fixed. The FIFA World Cup Accommodation Service, founded especially for the purpose of providing hotel accommodation for the fans, reports booking numbers above predicted levels. Some venues, however, still remain out in the cold. hospitalityInside asked Thomas Edelkamp, Managing Director of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Accommodation Services about the facts, tendencies and arrangements.

Berlin. As of July 1, 2005, the Deutsche Hotel- und Gaststaettenverband or Dehoga Bundesverband will tighten its criteria for the classification of German hotels. The association is trying to check the "soft factors" of a hotel with more scrutiny.

St. Wolfgang am See. Romantik Hotels & Restaurants have finally thrown off their image as "association" and at the occasion of their annual conference in St. Wolfgang, Austria promoted both Presidents to full-time status. Relations with management are expected to become even closer.