News & Stories
Lecce. Writing fake reviews using a false identity is a criminal conduct under Italian law. It's the judgement of first instance issued by the court of Lecce, ruling on the case of a persistent online fraudster, who was sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay approximately 8,000 euros in costs and damages. The sentence was issued at the beginning of June, but became public later thanks to a communication campaign by TripAdvisor.
Munich. Only a small single-digit percentage of hotels in Germany currently offer charging stations for electric vehicles. At the same time, this offer can also be greatly expanded for the benefit of hotels. A first nationwide charging study shows the status quo and potential.
Hamburg. March 2018 was meant to catapult prizeotel into a new more dynamic era. Two and a half years later, after the sale of a 49%-stake to the then Rezidor Hotel Group, Marco Nussbaum, the founder and CEO of prizeotel is frustrated: The stake in the trendy economy design brand has since been sold twice as a result of changes in majority shareholdings: from Carlson to the Chinese conglomerate HNA and then to the next Chinese conglomerate Jin Jiang, which aims to conclude its purchase by the end of 2018. Not much remains of the original spirit and motivation to grow the signature brand together with designer Karim Rashid – even if the impression from outside is a different one.
London. The next hybrid hotel brand is coming to Europe: Selina. The description of the model as a mix of boutique hotel and hostel doesn't please Stephen Ohayon, Vice President Business Travel at Selina. "We talk of private and shared accommodation because we eliminate stars and classic budget ideas and prefer to speak of 'shared values'," he says. However, the concept dares to incorporate both rooms which can cost up to USD 300 per night with beds available for just USD 15-50. The European headquarters are currently being set up in London; the focus will be primarily on Great Britain and Germany. In both markets, the aim is to expand rapidly and promises good results just one year after opening.
Hangzhou. Robots are on their way into the industry. While some hotels worldwide already test different types of robots, Chinese Alibaba is launching its own service robot now.
Vienna. Tropical heat outside – and a dip in 34 degree water? This may well have its fans, but more so a day at a thermal spa. In Austria, various thermal spas offer refreshing alternatives: natural lakes. Operators of thermal spas in Burgenland and Salzburger Land saw record growth in visitor numbers in the hot summer months. This is a new trend. Cooler lakes and the combination with hotels and wellness offers not only attract tourists from Vienna and neighbouring Hungary, but also short holiday makers from the region.
Madrid. Shareholder Hesperia is not thrilled with Minor's take-over NH Hotels. The Spanish hotel collection is threatening to cancel its management contract with NH for 28 hotels in case Minor reaches 50%. It is also looking for allies to over-bid the Thai group.
Wiesbaden. The deaths of two British tourists in Hurghada, Egypt, who were guests at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel, have made huge waves in international media this week. Tour operator Thomas Cook, which the couple used to book their holiday, has meanwhile offered guests alternative accommodation. Autopsies are in the process of being carried out. Even if no responsibility can be laid at the door of the hotel for the deaths, the damage for the brand is growing by the day. Lawyer Dr Christian Zerr, an experienced franchise expert and partner at the Munich law firm Graf von Westphalen, explains the legal situation for franchisees and franchisors in such a case.
Beijing. Pictures of unusual travel experiences are the means for young Chinese to strengthen their "social brand". Whoever can send mobile phone photos of high-tech accommodations and exotic delicacies on trips abroad is simply hip. Luxury shopping is losing interest.
Vienna. "1+1 = 3. This is innovation for me," says Rupert Simoner, CEO at the hotel group Vienna House based in Vienna. His most recent innovative product is called R.evo – a hybrid hotel brand with three components under one roof: hotel, living and serviced apartments. It is a coincidence that the first property with 607 different units will be built in Munich. The concept, however, is no coincidence, as Simoner explained: "I always got restless when it came to rigid standard rooms." Now, everything traditional is being tested and the team is reflecting about service and guests' focus as well as digitalization and monetarisation.