News & Stories

Rome. TripAdvisor has been sentenced to pay a fine of 100,000 euros for a breach of the Consumer Code. The Italian Council of State, i.e. the supreme national administrative court, has recognized the site to have published a few claims, "able to generate a false belief in the average Internet user about the reliability and authenticity of the posted reviews."

Bethesda/London. Both Marriott International and British Airways face huge privacy fines for data breach. Both companies will appeal the decision. The GDPR, which was enacted a year ago is clearly active and the recent fines should be a warning to all companies dealing with customers’ personal data. Other big giants like Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Airbnb are also about to feel EU pressure.

San Francisco. Ahead of its IPO, which should be happening this year or in the early days of 2020, Airbnb has been very busy diversifying its portfolio of activities. Diversification, mostly through acquisitions, could make the company more valuable when it goes public. Airbnb's ambitions are clear here, becoming an end-to-end travel platform. With its bundled power, Airbnb is disrupting hotel pricing strategies now. Meanwhile, it has embraced all segments and categories of the traditional hotel industry, doesn't give up lobbying in Brussels… The Airbnb empire has become a threatening scenario.

Bremen. The parent company is a German international construction giant, but the hotel group spans a mere 16 hotels. But the 13 Atlantic Hotels and their three sisters under independent brands are not just a simple hobby for Zech Group, the Bremen-based construction firm. Quite the opposite: The family business, which has been on the market for over 100 years, is ready to invest and so earn – more – money with it. The flagship hotels are the Grand Hotel Atlantic in Bremen and the luxury resort Severin's on Sylt. The Atlantic brand in the 4-star segment will soon be accompanied by a smart lifestyle counterpart situated in the budget segment. Managing Director Markus Griesenback allows a look behind the scenes.

Berlin. Every quarter, online surveys with tourism service providers are to actively initiate and accompany change processes in German tourism. After all, 77% of those currently surveyed see digitalisation as the central starting point for change. On the other hand, it is striking that Quality Improvement is rated so low and that Employee Satisfaction takes last place. The German Federal Tourism Competence Centre has set itself the task of acting as a market and trend radar for the sector.

Frankfurt. The Radisson Blu logo now also features the Chinese characters of the new brand owner Jing Jiang, and in the rooms, the instant noodle soup heralds the new era. The Vice Chairman of Jin Jiang International, Chen Liming, and Radisson CEO Federico J. González travelled to Frankfurt for the launch of the global co-branding. The details.

Stuttgart. There's no shrill wallpaper, no egg-shaped designer armchairs and no billiard table in the lobby. All the same, the new Essential by Dorint near Stuttgart Airport has got off to a great start. The reason is presumably its unagitated concept; a straightforwardness which sets it apart from ten other Select Service Hotels in the neighbourhood. The story behind this only reveals itself slowly. One part of it is Food & Beverage, another a real, already lively neighbourhood element. Dorint Hotels & Resorts wants to expand in the midscale segment with this type of hotel.

Wiesbaden. In the highly fragmented German market with small and medium-sized enterprises, the young Halbersbacher Hospitality Group is revving up – as franchisee and operator. "We are a small, courageous group that takes over properties, which allegedly do not work," states founder and CEO Arne Mundt explaining the business concept, referring to private hotels in C and D locations. And there are still many "hidden champions". The expansion takes place via the two own brands Halbersbacher and Twice, as well as via a partnership with Dorint Hotels & Resorts. By the end of 2020, Mundt plans for about 20 hotels and 1,500 rooms under his roof, which should generate at least 30 million in revenues.

Milan. Sir Rocco Forte, Founder and Chairman of The Rocco Forte Collection, will continue to focus on the traditional travel agents. He will intensify investments in the Italian market which are expected to become the company's most important source of business. All that coupled with no fear of any Brexit epilogue, which the English businessman of Italian origin strongly regards as the best possible solution for the United Kingdom. Massimiliano Sarti met him at the event venue Martini Terrazza in Milan, during the presentation of his group's current ambitious plans in Italy.

Wiesbaden. The digital era has driven astounding change: All day long, people have their gaze fixed on mobile devices, oblivious to their immediate surroundings. In the evening, their wishes turn to the other extreme. They want contact with others. Suddenly everyone's looking for their "community". Co-working spaces that fail to offer "community building" are no longer in line with the times. Start-ups in the field of co-working and co-living are flourishing, and are even setting up brands for action communities. The special touch: Beds right next to the "hot desk", also in a room with four others. Because it's cheaper. Co-working in itself, on closer consideration, is quite an expensive pleasure. Of the lifestyle hotel groups, Ruby is right in there on the professional market, whilst 25hours takes a more sceptical view.