Dublin. In his prelude speech to the Europe Convention of Choice Hotels in Dublin two weeks ago, Mark Pearce used the word "Guest" only once. Otherwise, the Senior Vice President International Division spoke of "Customer", "Client", "Consumer" and "User". This generally fitted to one of his first sentences: "Our goal is to increase the reservations!" The two together clearly show the compulsions in Europe by the second largest franchisor of the world: They must "Deliver" – and close the gap with the other, much more quickly expanding chains and franchisors. However, this is difficult with only three of the twelve US brands in continental Europe. As a result, Choice is currently questioning everything: The location strategy of their properties, the quality standards and the contracts. A great deal will probably change in the near future.

Vienna. The Germans spend more money on dog food than on baby food. For many people, the four-legged friend is also a child substitute. The increasing isolation in society will strengthen the dog trend rather than slow it down. However, this has not yet been recognised by any of the hotels or hotel chains. The Austrians, world champions in niche thinking, are attending to a new consortium: "Tierische Hotels". Their most famous member: Hotel Sacher in Vienna. But, the consultants are criticising the hotel chains: They are behaving too sluggishly and are limping behind the trend.

Berlin. On September 22, Germany will go to the polls in federal elections. The election campaign is in full swing. However, politicians show little interest in tourism. The Federal Association of German Tourism criticises: "Most parties reveal a complete lack of understanding in the frame conditions of tourism."

Duesseldorf/Munich. The German Lindner Hotels are making an attempt at "big data". With the aid of social media, they want to tackle their own mountains of data; they want to rummage through, filter and translate its hidden contents into specific customer promotions in the end. The hotel group is exhausting these new marketing opportunities directly from the Facebook profiles of their customers. Linder automatically reads what they "like" or "post" on Facebook & Co. The hotel group is carrying out this "experiment" with its most valuable clientele: the members of the bonus programme "Lindner Night".

Salzburg. The "morning paper" at the hotel seems to be essential for many holiday guests. 90 percent of the Austrian resorts in the 4- and 5-star categories deliver current property information to their guests daily. However, the paper greeting presents itself as a predominantly painful and bumpy matter for hoteliers and staff members. In Austria, a start-up is taking care of the more professional offerings, but drives the costs up further along with it. What is the property newspaper really worth?

Paris. Obviously working on his image and willing to appear more "human” and less "voracious”, Sébastien Bazin, Accor's new CEO played it "emotional" in front of Accor employees he met last Friday.

Chicago. Preferred Hotel Group launches a new "iPrefer". The loyalty program for the global collection of independent hotels now includes a points program and membership tiers that offer additional amenities.

Dubai. By 2020, Muslim travel will account for 14 percent of the international travel market. This sober figure hides a segment with huge potential. Today already in Arabia, a range of national hotel groups serve Muslim tourists, tourists who want to eat halal and a Muslim-friendly environment. Shaza Hotels go further than that though - beyond geographic frontiers: Their concept is the essence of a lifestyle brand which can even be marketed in Europe. What began as a regional sub-brand by Kempinski has meanwhile established itself as a culture of a very special kind.

Bad Doberan. The next round has been initiated. The leader of Halloren Schokoladenfabrik AG is once again making his move on the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm.

Delhi. Amanresorts is literally up for grabs. And who will buy this super-luxury hotel chain is a million dollar question. Speculation is rife ever since the closure of the sale between DLF Limited, India's real estate giant, with the chain’s founder Adrian Zecha reportedly did not materialise.