News & Stories
Augsburg. The confidence of institutional investors in alternative investment funds is increasing. After real estate, the development of infrastructure and renewable energies have now also become attractive asset classes for German investors. As in the case of real estate, the preferred investment location is their own country.
Vienna. When the CEOs of an airline and of the rail network come together to discuss sustainable mobility, there's sure to be a clash of opinions. Yet one thing is clear: Rail travel is currently gaining ground, both in terms of image and demand, compared to the airlines. This also raises many questions for both tourism and for the hotel industry. Will the festivals in Salzburg or Vienna collapse when Austrian domestic flights are cancelled? And how can you convince even more guests to leave the car at home when they take a holiday in the Alps? The hotel associations in Austria and in "rail paradise" Switzerland are reassuring.
Hamburg. Greta Thunberg and her followers are currently converting the world to sustainability. However, they havnen't convinced developers, investors and owners, as a survey of 130 guests at the 11th Hogan Lovells Hotel Day in Hamburg this Wednesday showed.
Amsterdam. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex was in Amsterdam earlier this week for the launch of Travalyst. The green travel initiative has been co-founded with the collaboration of travel online giants: Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Ctrip and Skyscanner, as well as Visa.
Vienna. To experience the world and in so doing to leave only a small carbon footprint. This is how tourism is to function in future. Greta Thunberg has unleashed a global mass movement. But the reality looks more hypocritical. Tourism providers and destinations are still moving at a snail’s paces.
Munich. The Cocoon Hotels are taking a new approach when it comes to waiving the need for room cleaning: They offer guests not only a gift, but also a special rate, the so-called Green Rate.
Amsterdam. The Dutch hostel and youth hostel group Stayokay has already expanded several of its facilities by including small, innovative holiday homes, the walls of which consist mainly of several layers of cardboard. The versatile Wikkelhouses are now being supplied to seven European countries.
Manama. The Kingdom of Bahrain announced the most questionable environmentally friendly action of the week: In August, the Arab state will open the world's largest underwater theme park. Its highlight is a decommissioned Boeing 747, which was officially sunk into the sea on 10 June.
Fresing. Natural cosmetics are in absolute fashion. In upscale wellness hotels, they are a must, as the sensitivities due to allergies are increasing. Especially women want to know exactly which ingredients are penetrating their skin and where these products come from. Companies producing regionally and sustainably like Vinoble Cosmetics, are increasing their credibility. Their cosmetics series is based on wine: The grapes grow in the highest vineyards of Southern Styria, on slate ground containing many antioxidants and mountain crystals, which are to energise the skin. About an unimposing manufacture in the countryside, where quality and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.
Paris/Eschborn. Hotel groups like Fairmont or Best Western – just to name two of many – give a home to bees on the hotel ground and offer guests activities around the honey suppliers. But not only the animals benefit from hospitality, also the guests. Fairmont films and broadcasts the life of its bees in real time, while individual Best Western hotels cooperate with local beekeepers.