News & Stories

Madrid. Barceló Hotels & Resorts is one of the most well-known Spanish hotel chains – at least inside Spain. Founded in Mallorca 83 years ago, the company has become a pioneer in the development of resorts, the first in the Caribbean and the US market. Today, the group is present in 17 countries and its growth seems unstoppable, even in the Spanish and European economic context. Their main expansion target: Italy. All hotels will undergo a transformation to achieve 4 and 5-star standards. Step by step, the group is silently adjusting its strategy for different markets and partnerships. Raúl González, CEO EMEA of the Group, about the company policy.

McLean/Phoenix. On Wednesday, Hilton Worldwide announced the start of its new lifestyle brand "Canopy by Hilton"; only a few days prior to this, Best Western USA presented "Vib" as its new lifestyle brand.

Munich. Sébastien Bazin acted resolutely at the Expo Real hotel conference: not for one second did Accor's CEO leave the audience in the dark about the new "asset heavy" strategy of Europe's largest hotel chain and that it left little leeway. Next to him was Wolfgang M. Neumann, CEO of The Rezidor Group. His group remains true to its "asset light" approach, for which he presented good arguments – both self-confidently and differentiating. Two CEOs embodying the ongoing contradictory debate across the industry. The audience was curious and eager.

Istanbul. "We'll attack the market a lot more aggressively using more capital in the future," announces Stephen P. Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International. With 6,300 hotels under its roof, the second largest franchisor in the world is willing to support its franchisees by issuing guarantees, but in addition, Choice is ready to use incentive capital regarding both new buildings and conversions. In some cases, the company is even willing to invest equity capital. "We want more deals," postulates Joyce towards hospitalityInside.com in Istanbul, where the group celebrated the opening of its first hotel last week, presenting new projects in Turkey at the same time. The unusual capital message is hitting the headlines right before upcoming Expo Real in Munich.

Innsbruck. Enthusiasm fluctuates regarding the Alpnet platform that was founded four years ago and aims at improving the marketing of the Alps. Nonetheless, there are initial thoughts about the future marketing of mountain regions on distant markets.

Salzburg. Across the Alps, the rainy summer of 2014 did not wash away as many guests as dreaded. This can be attributed to new ideas for younger guests: the "peak selfie", a video diary, and a rewilding project involving climbing the mountains using GPS. Austrians are once again setting new trends.

Berlin. Worldwide, shopping tours play an important part on one in three holidays spent abroad. Intensity differs, depending on the nationality of the guests; favorite shopping destinations are spread all over the world.

Munich. With 15 hotels, arcona Hotels & Resorts are still among the smaller hotel groups in Germany. New though is their commitment to increasing future growth with the serviced apartment brand arcona LIVING. The fourth LIVING opened last Friday in Munich - the first in an A-location. With this, the young hotel group pursues a young and promising niche which always manages to draw attention. arcona Managing Director Alexander Winter wants to optimise earnings with long-term guests.

Milan. Is it just a boutique hotel for the savvy budget traveller? Or "a lifestyle budget hotel"? as Ramesh Jackson, Vice President & Global Brand Manager of Moxy Hotels, loves to call it. Moxy Milan finally opened its doors at the start of September after several setbacks. hospitalityInside's Italian correspondent Massimiliano Sarti met the Moxy manager on site and learned a lot about Human Resources with unexperienced staff, about breakfast without hot items, and more expensive premium rooms in the budget hotel which should encourage revenue streams. The first Moxy is born, but Mum and Dad are still shaping the baby.

Vienna/Łódź. A hotel group is inventing itself anew: Vienna International Hotels & Resorts is attempting to evolve into a modern hotel company with a strong brand identity. Or is it better said: Rupert Simoner wants to evolve Vienna International? He wants to introduce the new company structure in six months. The former Kempinski Manager who started his new job on the 1st of September presented himself talkatively in a media conversation in Łódź, Poland.