News & Stories
Vienna. Dr. Alexander Roessler takes over the position as Chief Operating Officer in the headquarters of the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group in Vienna, starting on May 1, 2010. Additional changes are under way.
Hamburg. Cost conscious thinking is Gregor Gerlach's maxim, owner and CEO of Seaside Hotels and co-creator of the system food chains Bagels Brothers and Vapiano. His newest idea has been partially realised in Leipzig: "Vasano Suites". Just a few weeks ago, the first guests were welcomed. In spite of the term "suite" and 5-star design and furnishings, a slim-lined concept at 4-star prices awaits the guest. The target group consists of guests not looking for the personal service typical of luxury accommodation providers. A new idea of 'system comfort'.
Zell am See. The Germans place their hopes on the recent reduction in VAT, the South Tyroleans on a stop on beds, and the Swiss and the Austrians are focussing on quality. At the annual conference of the Austrian Hotelier Association last week in Zell am See, the four German-speaking hotel associations discussed their focuses. There was also a call to bring the network closer together - in spite of varying framework conditions.
Zell am See. The crisis has finally caught up with Austria’s hotel industry with a two-digit drop in rates. Pessimistic outlooks together with increased financing costs could half the investments of the hospitality industry. The Austrian Hotel Assocation considers the relationship with the banks to be disturbed. Now the association and a hotelier from Salzburg have initiated an online bank evaluation platform. The annual OEHV conference counted 550 participants, a record attendance – and a signal for the worries of hoteliers about the dark clouds looming over the tourist country of Austria.
Paris/Munich. In November, Jaume Tàpies was elected President of Relais & Châteaux for a second term of four years – and year after year, the Spaniard works harder. The consortium headquartered in Paris will be working on a decentralised basis, after predecessor Régis Bulot led the company in a nationalistic French way. The individual countries will bear more responsibility. In addition, R&CH will be expanding towards the major cities and activating an "internal" tour operator in order to boost distribution. In contrast to many chains, the consortium has a secure foundation in financial terms. Last Monday at the New Year's reception for the press in Munich, Jaume Tàpies revealed the details.
Frankfurt. Frankfurt-based Hotel und Management und Servicegesellschaft HMG, operator of nine Fleming's Hotels and four boarding houses, has been thinking about lease agreements lately. This was announced at a press conference in Frankfurt yesterday together with an explanation of its future strategy.
Hamburg. RIMC International Hotel Resort Management and Consulting GmbH in Hamburg, known in the industry simply as RIMC, will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. The operating company was established by Gert Prantner at a time when he was still Managing Director of Hamburg's luxury hotel The Vier Jahreszeiten. He made a legend of the top hotel before quietly leaving to concentrate his attention on the finance and real estate industry. It was here that he learnt and implemented the concept which he today describes as "tailor-made for investors". For RIMC, the operation of hotels stands in focus. The company views American-style management contracts as unprofessional. Meanwhile, RIMC has founded subsidiaries in six countries with national partners. Since 2006, Marek Riegger has been at Prantner's side as business partner. Riegger has about 30 years experience in the international hotel industry. Both men have known each other for 20 years. Marek Riegger shores up the RIMC philosophy in the long-term. Both have set targets: an even stronger presence in Germany, continued expansion abroad and more hotels under ownership.
Paris. The separation of the Accor division Hotels and Services is officially confirmed. Under the chairmanship of Gilles Pélisson, Accor’s Board of Directors approved the decision with one vote less.
Eschborn/Berlin. Best Western Hotels Germany has intensified its strategic partnership with Grand City Hotels. In a first step, eight hotels switch sides.
Munich. Accor currently operates eleven brands; the expansion of the low budget brand, Formule 1, will be suspended. The European market leader will in future orientate itself more towards target groups than to locations. Market leadership as budget provider will remain the utmost priority. Sofitel, on the other hand, doesn't show the same ambition. Yann Callière, Chief Operating Officer of Accor Hospitality EMEA and Chief Executive Officer of Sofitel Worldwide, explains the current approach taken by the French hotel group.