News & Stories

Frankfurt. As of winter 2017/18, the tour operator DER Touristik will implement an animal welfare guideline: hence, all six brands will successively remove all their offers, which feature direct contact to wild animals, from their programs by 2020. But DER is not the only one.

Madrid. The travel industry must be better prepared for economic and political disruption if it is to make the most of future economic growth. This is a very big challenge but also a great chance. And: It is important to keep an eye on four scenarios.

Vienna/Bangkok. Five months after the acquisition of Vienna House by the Thai investor U City, the process of synergy building has begun: In future, the Austria hotel group will expand its brand in Asia and U Hotels & Resorts will venture the leap to Europe.

Vienna. According to recent brand value estimates, the Hilton brand, the most valuable hotel brand worldwide, is worth USD 8.370 billion. This is followed by other US giants such as Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn and Ramada. In light of such dimensions, Austrian hoteliers have decided to have their hotel names valued. At least two now know the answer.

Amsterdam. The innovation and rise in popularity of co-working spaces confirm that the concept is becoming mainstream. The sector has grown very fast and created a sort of frenzied reaction among investors, banks, real estate companies, and hedge funds. Even hoteliers are interested and this time, they may have more to offer on the matter than one might think. The Student Hotel, Zoku, Mama Shelter, Ruby Hotels, Virgin Hotels, etc. are already developing their own version of co-working spaces, somehow trying to prove that their hospitality expertise is perfect to answer the needs of the "co-living/co-working" adepts.

Paris. In the footsteps of Dayuse.com, a booking platform for hotel rooms during the day and of OnePark, a hotel-friendly parking solution, another French start-up is taking advantage of the hospitality sector now. Its name? Airoffice. Its concept? Selling unexploited hotel spaces online as "free working" areas for outside guests. A lobby, a bar, an empty breakfast room, a lounge, a terrace, a patio – Airoffice offers customers a cozy environment to work in for few hours and hoteliers an opportunity to generate extra revenue without doing anything, except greeting the "Free worker".

Paris. Exactly one year ago, AccorHotels CEO Sébastien Bazin brought the former CEO of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International back on board. Chris Cahill, born in Quebec, listened, agreed, now sits in Paris, is again learning French and more about Accor, which together with the three unified brands Fairmont, Raffles and Sofitel now ranks 2nd in the world among luxury chains. But of course, it isn't to stay this way. Cahill is sticking with each individual brand, but is working on the profile of each. Cahill denies there is any quality difference between Fairmont and Sofitel, as some have claimed. He wants individual websites for the brands. A tour d'horizon with the CEO Luxury Brands of AccorHotels.

Washington DC. Donald Trump and his clan are facing unprecedented scandals. The President's constant provocative decisions and hateful tweets have now started to fire back. Donald Trump is now being officially investigated for possible obstruction of justice in the Russian probe and law suits against his conflicts of interest are piling up. His luxury hotel in Washington is in the spotlight, but the real deal is abroad, where Trump Organization is taking advantage of every opportunity the presidency can bring. A lot has happened since January. Only six months have passed since our first part about the President's conflicts of interest.

Madrid. NH Hotel Group is doing well and, for the first time after 9 years, around 17 million euros in dividend payments will be distributed to shareholders. CEO Ramon Aragones was appointed Executive Director at the Board meeting held last Thursday. Acting like everything is just fine, the group still faces a court case and strong disagreements with its majority shareholder HNA.

Vienna. Even in Austria with its strong tourism market, "Smart & Budget" concepts are gaining ground. Some of these concepts are already established, others are venturing a second start. A look at the brands Harry's Home, Roomz, Fairmotel, 7 Days Premium, Adeo and Explorer Hotels.