News & Stories

Andermatt. The mega investment by Orascom Development is now taking shape in Andermatt. Up to six new hotels, 490 apartments in 42 buildings and 25 luxury villas comprise a total investment of almost 1.5 billion Euro. Nevertheless, there were losses in 2012. These have now been covered by owner Samih O. Sawiris. He is now new majority shareholder and will cover the current cash deficit. With the move, Sawiris reaffirms his commitment to Andermatt.

Berlin/Sydney. There is no difference between hotel room and studio apartment; full F&B offers and a pool on the property belong among the standard. With such and other principles, Adina Apartment Hotels wants to further sharpen their profile in the German and European markets. The subsidiary of the Australian Toga Hospitality is currently taking a running jump to grow from five to15 properties in Germany and target other European countries afterward. The parent is providing for the financing. They also wish to accelerate the marketing. A conversation with Carol Douglas and Georgios Ganitis, who will assume the office of Regional General Manager Europe in June from Carol Douglas, and with Matthias Niemeyer, Head of Development Germany.

Berlin/Palma de Mallorca. Meliá will continue its asset light strategy in future, as Vice Chairman and CEO Gabriel Escarrer emphasised at the ITB. While the business relies on partnerships with large local businesses in the US and Asia, it will keep its own brands under control in the other markets.

Bern. Last year, Switzerland's hotels' own booking channels remained the key sales driver despite the fact that their share has waned for years. Online travel agents have, however, quadrupled their market share.

Zurich. Swiss Deluxe Hotels – a group of 38 five-star hotels in Switzerland – concluded 2012 with a loss in revenue and overnight stays. The instability factors will likely continue to persist.

Berlin. Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels comments on the company achieving its best financial results in the group's history: "Our strategy is paying off and we’re now reaping the fruits of our labour."

Berlin. Wyndham and Grand City celebrated their future collaboration in the hotel of all places that was recently taken by Grand City from IHG, their franchise partner: the Wyndham Grand Berlin, originally planned as Crowne Plaza. With this, the two partners underline their goal of jointly establishing one of Wyndham's "Grand" flagships in each of the five largest German cities.

Tel Aviv. The power balance on the German hotel market has just changed significantly: Foreign brands are massively gaining in presence. The Israeli hotel chain Fattal Hotels has acquired 20 hotels from the Queens Moat House portfolio. This was announced by the company yesterday.

Vienna. Austria's skiing sensation Michael Walchholfer has proved a direct link between Alpine skiing events and the success of the tourist industry in his graduate thesis. According to his findings, ski racing events are a tourist motor.

Duesseldorf. The online advertising market in Germany grew to EUR 6.47 billion in 2012. Currently accounting for 21.8% of the media-mix, the internet is the second most popular advertising medium after TV and has increased its lead on the print media market for the third year in a row.