News & Stories
Dubai. The pandemic is not over yet. "There is still big risk for Q4 of this year," says Chris Hartley, CEO of Dubai-based Global Hotel Alliance. Covid-19 has hit the GHA hard. All the more intensive then are the preparations for the re-launch at the turn of the year: GHA is pushing Local Experiences and is introducing the Discovery Dollar as its own currency. NH Hotels is not only a new member but also a new shareholder of the alliance.
Paris. It is a big plan to survive, abrupt in its reorientation and associated with many new debts: Franck Gervais, the new CEO of the Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs Group, created a 5-year plan focusing on a new and reinvented local tourism that is more sustainable and 100% experience-based. The preferred target group: Millennials' families. Currently, he is protecting cash flow, reinventing the group's strategy and welcoming new co-shareholders.
Hamburg. The virus and several months of lockdown hit retail right in the middle of a transition - and accelerated the adjustment processes in the industry. Nevertheless, city centres will remain popular shopping destinations, Volker Kraft is certain. Since 2008, as a Founding Partner of ECE Real Estate Partners, he’s invested in the acquisition and development of large shopping centres in Europe and has adapted to the fast-growing online retail trend through a new Digital Mall operated by ECE. Well before the crisis, ECE Group was already involved in the world of hotels and is now committing itself to further investments in it - with a new million-heavy fund managed by ECE REP. Volker Kraft and Ascan Kókai, the new Head of Hotel Investments at ECE REP, on retail and hospitality.
Wiesbaden. In the small German town of Bad Münstereifel, courageous investors dared an experiment seven years ago: they transformed the historic centre of the town into an outlet centre. In doing so, they not only created retail jobs, but also revived tourism.
Heilbronn. The Plaza Hotelgroup from Heilbronn, comprising of 39 hotels, recently surprised the sector with the purchase of two Maritim Hotels. The company does not rule out further expansion moves. In October, Mr and Mrs Yalaz were still pessimistic. Now, things appear rosy again - after good pandemic management.
Hamburg. Novum Hospitality from Hamburg is the only major hotel group to make use of the German Economic Stabilisation Fund during the pandemic. CEO and owner David Etmenan explains the background and the current strategy of the company to hospitalityInside.com.
Munich. Ringhotels are starting the 2021 summer season with a complete brand relaunch and are also introducing a new affiliation solution for smaller hotels.
Augsburg. Next Friday, the new "Business Union” - Union der Wirtschaft - will be founded in Berlin. It will be a think tank and supposed to complement Dehoga, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association. Its aim is to ensure that the hospitality industry has a stronger voice in politics in future. Hotelier concerns and social media posts show: Frustration with lobbying is high and the desire for change is growing. But what's the right path?
Augsburg. Why do politicians neither listen nor understand hotels and restaurants? Questions and frustration are piling up across Germany's hospitality industry. Investors, owners, and operators are forced to watch their business dying almost helplessly. It's high time for self-criticism. Time for disruption on our own account. Where does the industry stand now? How is it perceived? What do affected people say? And what about Dehoga? We have it all here. Next week, we will then look into the future of the industry.
London/Berlin. In his first six months, Adina's new CEO Europe, Simon Betty, has so far only been able to get to know his hotels and team via video call. All the same, he still has ideas for further transforming the brand. The premium Adina Hotels brand will be placed together with sister brands and repositioned with a closer relationship with real estate.