News & Stories

Kleine Scheidegg. To enter the Hotel Bellevue des Alpes in the Swiss Alps is to step back in time – to at least the early part of the last century. Early on a February evening, voices speaking in English, Schweizerdeutsch, French, German and, maybe Dutch and Swedish as well, can be heard before a crackling fire in the cosy Victorian-styled foyer. By 6 p.m. all is quiet outside except for the faint groaning of snow cats, grooming the ski trails for the following day, evoking a bit the atmosphere of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film, "The Shining". At an altitude of 2,070 metres, this ski-in, ski-out hotel is unique – and a reference to the "good old past", very much appreciated today.

Madrid. Global consumers are increasingly spending their disposable income on experiences rather than material goods. Consumers' desire for life experiences is spurring a growth in luxury travel that is outpacing the rest of the travel industry. A new report shows details of the development in this segment, differentiated by regions and client tribes.

London. On June 23, Britain is organizing a referendum to decide if the country should leave or remain in the European Union. A simple "Yes" or "No" to this question could have massive consequences on the economy should the vote result in leaving the EU. Tourism institutions and hospitality professionals are already blowing the whistle. The British Hotel Association warns that no matter what the outcome, uncertainties around Europe have already created angst amongst businesses and investments. The vast majority of businesses in the country have many Continental European staff; furthermore the BREXIT could not only damage London's reputation as a global financial hub, the city is also likely to see an exodus of global corporations as a result. Should the UK decide to "go alone", there will be significant changes to the hotel landscape.

Vienna. As the hotel industry is pulling out all the stops in the cities in order to slow down the US-platform Airbnb, are private landlords discovering the platform as a new opportunity – just as Airbnb is discovering the holiday regions. Now the tourism association Mayrhofen is a pioneer.

Berlin. The two-year grace period is over since last Sunday, May 1, 2016, it will get really expensive. Now the Alienation Prohibition Act for Residential Space is effective in the city of Berlin – and a fifty-percent-rule for tourism. Airbnb and Berlin could not agree with each other and therefore the platform now published own figures.

Minneapolis/Beijing. The next deal is done: Few weeks only after Marriott/Starwood take-over was approved by shareholders, consolidation in the hospitality industry continues with Carlson/Rezidor being sold to Chinese group HNA for allegedly 2 billion dollars. Part of the top-10 largest hospitality companies in the world, the Carlson Hotel Group operates 1,400 hotels in more than 110 countries and territories under brands including Radisson, Park Plaza Hotels and Country Inn and Suites. Not much about future strategies has been shared so far, except that HNA will invest massively and develop the existing Carlson's portfolio starting with Radisson Red.

Bangkok. Hotels don't only have to provide their guests with first-class service, they must also offer them special experiences. This is the opinion of Sonu Shivdasani, creator of a trend which is known today as "barefoot luxury". Resorts of this kind need a strong corporate culture. In 2012, the founder of Six Senses Resorts went his own way with Soneva Hotels and Soneva Private Residences. Yet he is still the owner of the eco-luxury resort Soneva Fushi on the Maldives, the place at which barefoot luxury began, as well as of Soneva Kiri in Thailand. The third resort is currently under construction and more are planned. The residences play a key role in finance and for positioning. Baerbel Schwertfeger spoke with Sonu Shivdasani on the dilution of the luxury hotel industry and about his own plans.

Chicago. The expansion of the chain hotel industry, its mergers, headlines and new soft brands - all of that has been unable to shake Preferred Hotels' confidence. The consortium rather sees itself as a beneficiary of this trend.

Milan. Bubbly, a little bit flamboyant, but with a solid collection of clear ideas in his mind… He couldn't be in a more euphoric mood: Enrique "Kike" Sarasola, the founder of Spanish Room Mate Hotels is in fact enjoying a record year for his company. In 2015 the still young but dynamic Spanish group beat every record in terms of occupancy, average daily rate, RevPar, total turnover and GOP. Our Italian correspondent Massimiliano Sarti met him a few weeks ago in Milan at the inauguration of the Room Mate Giulia: an 85-room hotel projected by the renowned Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola and located, as the group's concept requires it to be, in the very centre of the city.

Bethesda. It's finally done. Shareholders at Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts officially approved the merger of the two hotel companies last Friday. The two American hospitality chains will become the world's largest hotel company. A transcript from the investors' meetings of both companies reveals details about the future focus. Both CEOs, Arne Sorenson and Thomas Mangas speak about mutual strengths and weaknesses.