News & Stories
Mayrhofen. Austrian youth researcher, Manfred Zentner of the Institute of Youth Culture Research confronted tourism professionals at the Conference of Austrian Hotelier´s Consortium last week with an effective, corny joke: "Today's youth is so mobile that they no longer need to even move". The OEHV members are confronted with the effect of this truth daily. However: A different lifestyle shapes the travel behaviour of the young stronger than technological possibilities. As a result, there is no simple recipe for success in appealing to the younger generation.
Zurich/Kelkheim. Each new year always brings up the question about new trends. Who or what will influence our work and daily environment? On what should managers base their decisions? The Gottlieb Duttweiler-Institut in Switzerland has spotted "Workstyle" to be a new movement. Subtitle: “The leisure-loving society becomes unemployed. We are about to become a society of activity.” This should make hoteliers perk up their ears. The GDI experts analyse the new trend in a typical objective and factual manner. The nine most important socio-cultural trends for the markets of tomorrow have been written in a much more lurid way: Matthias Horx, a German futurologist, examines industries in a state of flux and new market potentials. A summary of key words.
Amsterdam/Tokyo. The New Year will be the year of merging: Then the Japanese luxury hotels, Okura will merge with the 4 Star JAL/Nikko Hotels already acquired in September, 2010 as a single company and the planned expansion will take on a concrete form. Additionally, Europe will be a brought in as a focus. Up to now, Okura Hotel & Resorts based in Tokyo is only represented in this part of the world by the Okura Amsterdam. Previously General Manager and President, Marcel P. van Aelst ascended in autumn as Representative Director and President of the JAL Hotels Co. Ltd and now the task of promoting the expansion beyond Japan is incumbent upon him. Marcel van Aelst about the plans.
Rostock arcona Hotels & Resorts continues to extend its umbrella brand, but will remain loyal to Steigenberger via franchise. The plan of growing by two hotels each year will also be met in 2011. Individual hotels will distinguish themselves further in terms of marketing.
Munich. Staff at the Arabella Hospitality Group will go into the Christmas break and the New Year with uncertainty. Negotiations with Starwood Hotels in Brussels with respect to the management takeover will, contrary to previous statements, proceed well into January.
Wiesbaden. Today, on Christmas Eve, people give each other presents in the Christian world. However, presents, even if only little souvenirs, are not only in season during Christmas time: in hotel boutiques, guests shop the whole year round. Often, these small shops have their own charm and accessories, which are nowhere else to be found. Skilfully assembled and placed, these outlets are also able to contribute to the profit. During her pre-Christmas tour through the Victoria-Jungfrau Interlaken, Schloss Fuschl near Salzburg, Thurnher's Alpenhof in Zuers, Tschuggen Grand Arosa, and Romantik Hotel Goldener Karpfen in Fulda, Susanne Stauss discovered different kind of hotel shops – from the milk bar with a lifestyle shop to romantic little shops.
Bangkok. Six Senses Resorts & Spas has changed its brand structure and increased the difference and target group appeal of the individual brands. Even the new marketing images of the "eco-chain" focuses on people - guests as well as staff.
New York/Tokyo. A new logo and more room for uniqueness: Two weeks ago at the Annual General Meeting 2010 of The Leading Hotels of the World in Tokyo, President and CEO Ted Teng presented positive annual results. As already reported, Andrea Kracht was also appointed as new Chairman.
Frankfurt. After Karl-Anton Schattmaier and André Witschi, this Tuesday it was Arco Buijs' turn to present the next new future of the Steigenberger Hotels Group. A new model for the future for each CEO - three models from three CEOs in Steigenberger's recent past. Yet the future from 2011 doesn't really look all that different to what it did previously. The new Steigenberger CEO, already in office for five months, presented the new model alone: Neither the long-term CFO Matthias Heck nor Steigenberger owner Hamed El Chiaty were at the presentation. An obvious question thus arises: Is their absence a signal of their opposition? Behind the scenes of the hotel group, the rumours persist that both in terms of organisation and with respect to contents, Steigenberger Hotels is on a course to become an international player: Expansion everywhere, more midscale, more franchising and new management staff.
Berlin. Low budget chain Meininger Hotels has given a British listed tour operator a 50% stake in its company. This is supposed to help expand its business to other countries in tune with the rapid growth the group has seen in Germany.