News & Stories
Frankfurt/M. "Impact 2009" is the name of Worldhotels new strategy: It includes a number of initiatives designed to combat the economic downturn and to grow revenue and market share across a number of markets, business segments and channels. In addition to "Impact 2009", Worldhotels offers packages for individual guests and tests ecological standards.
Sevilla/Ruesselsheim. Marketing spending is not being reduced despite the crisis. This was the outcome of a current survey, according to which 62% of German hotels want to increase their spending on marketing in 2009. By the same token, in particular, staff expenses and administration expenses are to be cut back.
Barcelona. The Spanish hotel consortium Prestige Hotels of the World, by Keytel left the starting blocks in summer 2007 with 38 hotels - today, the consortium has grown to over 90 hotels in 20 countries. This year, plans are to increase activities in Germany.
Wiesbaden. In many cities, the boom of cheap hostels is not just pure coincidence: young people like travelling and do so frequently; however, they are not willing to do without certain standards. Youth hostels are improving their facilities and organizers of youth travels are planning new and more attractive trips for this important target group. Concerning this area, the resort hotel industry still has a lot of catching up to do. The easiest way to approach the young guests is via internet. Even the International Tourism Exchange Berlin is dedicating a special exhibition area to this segment. And: Yesterday, the German Aldi discounter announced: New offers for children travels starting in March! This is an impulse for the search for alternatives in the crisis.
Abu Dhabi. Last Sunday, the Oetker Hotel Collection signed, as announced in last week's issue, an agreement for its first management hotel. In the United Arab Emirates, the first "Le Bristol Abu Dhabi" will be built.
Berlin. The view from the conference room in Berlin's Uhlandstrasse looks on to a hotel construction site - but still, not a site for an Azimut Hotel. All the same, the Russian hotel group has now settled in the centre of Berlin hoping to push forward expansion into Europe using Berlin as its base. The private investor behind the project operates Russia's biggest national hotel group. On the Berlin front, Christian Kettlitz, a former Marriott employee, leads the team. Details on the expansion and strategy of Azimut.
Baden-Baden. In contrast to recent rumours, the Oetker Group from Bielefeld is not selling off its hotels but plans to enlarge its hotel collection in future. The group founded a hotel management company, which is also managed by Frank Marrenbach.
