News & Stories

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Time to tidy up

Chairman André Witschi on Steigenberger rumours and his strategy

31.10.2008

Frankfurt. A banal article in the German "Manager Magazine" draws attention this week to the Steigenberger Hotel Group. According to the article, the Group is to be sold to Marriott. Marriott CEO, Ed Fuller, however, quickly and categorically denied the rumours - a response otherwise never seen from Marriott. André Witschi, Board Chairman of the Steigenberger Hotel Group said: "I`m not aware of any such plan and we aren`t involved in any sale process." Admittedly, these words still leave lots of room for speculation as to whether the owner family, the Steigenbergers, are entertaining talks unbeknownst to supervisory board and management. On the other hand, it`s common knowledge that Steigenberger has baggage. For the time being, the bride still isn`t pretty enough for the wedding. hospitalityInside.com took this opportunity to ask André Witschi about current Steigenberger changes and plans. For the first time since he assumed office with Germany`s best known hotel group in February, he gave an interview on company strategy and on further rumours.

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Growing by reginal know-how

Thomas Cook introduces the new Sentido brand in detail

24.10.2008

Frankfurt. Karl Anton Schattmaier, Chief Executive Officer of Sentido Hotels & Resorts, and Thomas Cook Chairman Dr Peter Fankhauser presented details of Thomas Cook’s new hotel brand, "Sentido", last week in Frankfurt. The focus of the franchise company’s expansion is on sun destinations.

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Activating European potential

Preferred Hotels grant yield to members

24.10.2008

Frankfurt/M. This sounds like fighting the current crisis but it is already the second time that the Preferred Hotel Group has given its members a "promise for yields" after 2005. The US is still the group's main market and the American cooperation is only gaining ground in Europe gradually. To the four already existing brands under the umbrella of Preferred, the fifth brand is soon to be added in Europe: Historic Hotels. Numerous activities show that the cooperation is speeding up in "good old Europe." The inter-European markets should be connected more strongly with one another.

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Hoteliers want to avoid price dumping

Financial crisis does not result in crisis marketing

24.10.2008

Wiesbaden. Due to the given financial crisis the tour operator Thomas Cook announced it wished to strengthen its resistance against external factors. Similar statements are made by the hotel industry; however, the industry does not speak of special marketing plans for the crisis or of price reductions.

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New York Palace changed hands

17.10.2008

New York. Niklaus Leuenberger, General Director of the New York Palace, is pleased: As of recently, his hotel is now owned by the Brunei Investment Agency - and million Dollar investments have been guaranteed.

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Building trust

Schoerghuber/ArabellaStarwood Hotels: New focus on Arabella

10.10.2008

Munich. As already reported in yesterday's "Breaking News", Stefan Schoerghuber will join the management of ArabellaStarwood Hotels in Munich. Management at the company has been thin for months and new managing directors weren't in sight. The news also makes clear that the position of Carsten Rath, who stepped down as Management Chairman of Arabella International Ltd at the end of May, won't be filled. At the same time, a new brochure on the "Arabella Hospitality Group", fresh off the press, indicates that Stefan Schoerghuber once again intends to strengthen the focus on the original hotel name, Arabella. The otherwise low-key entrepreneur also voices his confidence in his various investments in hotels and tourism.

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Stefan Schoerghuber to lead Arabella Hospitality Group

9.10.2008

Munich. Newly formed Arabella Hospitality Group combines hotel and tourism activities of Schoerghuber Unternehmensgruppe. Stefan Schoerghuber, Christian Boell and Dr. Christoph Scherk will be at the head. The company made the announcement this morning.

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Stefan Schoerghuber to lead Arabella Hospitality Group

3.10.2008

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Carlson CEO to acquire more Rezidor shares

3.10.2008

Minneapolis. Hubert Joly, Chief Executive Officer and President of Carlson Companies, Inc., an indirect shareholder of Rezidor Hotel Group AB, listed on the Stockholm stock exchange intends to acquire additional shares of Rezidor. Rezidor CEO Kurt Ritter will continue to head the company until he reaches the age of 65.

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"Germany is ready for us"

B&B sees advantages for budget products as a result of the finance crisis

3.10.2008

Frankfurt/M. With slimline structures and successful adjustments for the German market, B&B's expansion is going well. And according to Managing Director for Germany, Mark Thompson, even the current turmoil on the international finance markets won't change that. The German B&B centre has already taken on more staff.

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