News & Stories

Wiesbaden. After Oberstaufen in the Allgaeu/Bavarian Alps, the first German cities can now be seen on Google Maps with Streetview. The hospitality industry's response has been a sober one though. Hotels regret the poor quality of the photos - marketing images certainly look different. The German Hotel Association demands that politicians provide for a right to updates.

Frankfurt. Last Friday, the sudden onset of winter, which produced endless traffic jams, unexpectedly thwarted Thomas Althoff in Cologne: at the press conference in Frankfurt, Ameron’s Vice President Edgar Lichter introduced the new Ameron line called “Edition Fine Boutique Hotels” as well as the group’s further plans for expansion. These also include small villas. When it comes to future business development, neither traffic jams nor a snail’s pace are standards the Althoff Group bases its expansion on. The group from Rhineland aims at opening two new hotels per year. With this category, it seems that the group obviously wants to gather new guests for Althoff’s more upscale gourmet hotels.

Singapore/Munich. "GHM Hotels are Asia-based, Asia-inspired and Asia-operated," says Clement Koh, who has been GHM Hotels' Vice President Sales & Marketing for five months now, headquartered in Singapore. The group, founded by Adrian Zecha, manages independent hotels and brand hotels – The Chedi, among others. Now, GHM wants to establish itself in Europe more strongly.

Wiesbaden. In the major European cities, luxury brands of Asian hotel groups have already established themselves for the most part; now they are approaching the Mediterranean with their resorts. There, they want to impress European guests with Asian hospitality. The big attraction among the resort destinations is Greece, and Paris is an especially attractive city. When asking Asian hotel managers and investors why they believe in their success in Europe, the answer is always the same: the Asian concept of service distinguishes its hotels positively from western competitors. The business hotels are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the resorts offer excellent spas. And finally, there are synergies between business and leisure, between European and Asian guests, who travel across the entire world. The state of current expansion of large Asian hotel chains in Europe.

Paris. In the year 2011, the world of Relais & Châteaux will be expanded by 36 new hotels. Most of them are located in Europe. New "ambassador" of the marketing association is the actor Richard Gere.

Dubai. One of the most beautiful hideaways in the world is now in the hands of a standardized hotel chain. The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in the desert of Dubai has been part of Starwood Hotels’ “Luxury Collection” since November 1. This could be the first sign of a new strategy.

Budapest. Markus Luthe from Germany was elected into the Executive Committee of HOTREC, the European umbrella organisation of the hotel and restaurant association. At the General Assembly in Budapest, current topics of interest in the industry and the admission of Slovakia were the focus of attention.

Chevy Chase. Even after many years spent in the USA, Hervé Humler's has still not lost his distinctive and very charming French accent. He came to the young Ritz-Carlton company in 1983 as "number 4" under the direction of Horst Schultze. In August 2010, Humler finally attained his dream and since then has held the position of President and Chief Operations Officer of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He succeeds Simon Cooper here, who left Ritz-Carlton to take on a position with Marriott International. Cooper is now responsible for Marriott's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. His recent statements on the status quo at Ritz-Carlton clearly show his close connection to the parent company. And Ritz-Carlton now publishes figures for the first time.

Munich. For the West Paces Hotel Group, the search for locations for sophisticated individual hotels of the brands Capella and Solis has not become easier in the last two years. In the meantime, the requirements of the American operating company, founded by Horst Schultze, have been stepped up.

Nuremberg. Up to now it was a colourful mixture of very different hotels. Now, a new brand and a new design is to bring them into line: One by one, Gold Inn hotels will be realigned and renamed Dormero Hotels. Their concept: design, high-tech, a touch of local lifestyle and streamlined centralised administration. Their market: Germany. Their expansion target: two to three new hotels per year, 20 hotels in a maximum of ten years. hospitalityInside.com met the entire management team at the Expo Real, the head of which is a well-known name: Hans Rudolf Woehrl. The change.