News & Stories
Augsburg. aloft, element, 1, Indigo, Reserve… This is the new alphabet of hotel brands. Hardly a month goes by without new hotel types being created by the international hotel giants. What is it good for? Confusion. Taxi drivers swear about it and even hotel insiders are confused. The industry's problem: There are a lot of brands, but almost none of them fulfil the promises they make, says Prof. Dr. Marco Gardini of the International University of Applied Sciences in Bad Honnef. Less would therefore be more. Kurt Ritter of Rezidor recently announced that the company's range of brands will be consolidated in future. A thumbnail description of an ongoing discussion.
Berlin. In the 80th year of its company history, Marriott International shows itself to be as solid as a rock. At the traditional press talk at the ITB, the company's management was full of confidence and optimism. Last year's figures emphasised the role of the mega player. In addition to further expansion, it will invest millions in faded hotels as competition continues to be fierce.
Berlin. The definition always leads to confusion, for sure is only that designer hotels show a significant higher performance than brands of other sectors. The chains' ongoing passion for designer and lifestyle brands leads to a new "massclusivity". A discussion at the International Hotel Investment Forum, hold in Berlin two weeks ago.
Madrid. The hotel group Hesperia based in Barcelona once again puts the wind up its main competitor NH Hoteles. A takeover bid cannot be ruled out, Javier Illa, Hesperia Board Speaker said last week. With 23.6 percent, Hesperia is the largest NH shareholder - contrary to the express wish of NH boss Gabriele Burgio. Hesperia has already heavily criticised the acquisition of the Italian Jolly Hotels. NH now start 2007 with new capital and the region "Germany" is set to grab a large chunk of the benefit.
London. Hilton Hotels Corporation announced the exchange of contracts to sell its Scandic Hotel chain to the private Equity Group EQT for approximately 833 million Euro. Net proceeds after transaction costs and taxes are expected to be approximately 1.04 billion USD.
Munich. In future, robots will be no unfamiliar sight in the hotel industry, yet in terms of competition, it won't be the number crunchers leading decision making, but the more creative talents. The European Hotel Managers Association convened two weeks ago in Munich for their annual meeting. The motto of the meeting was "brain and soul" with 180 hoteliers coming together to discuss the topics they themselves consider the most important. Whilst the brain was busy with discussions and lectures on IT, controlling and benchmarking and the expectations of investors, there was Bavarian beer aplenty for the soul. Keynote speaker among colleagues was Sir Rocco Forte.
Vienna. Mountain hotel and industrial architecture in Vienna, monastic refuge in Styria: The Verkehrsbuero Group is expanding its Austrian hotel portfolio from 26 to 29 pieces with three spectacular hotels. Under criticism: a hotel with serviced apartments in Vienna.