News & Stories

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Premiere for the World Tourism Forum Lucerne - to follow suit the WEF

6.2.2009

Lucerne. The World Tourism Forum Lucerne is an international conference, the first of its kind and launched by the Lucerne School of Business. It will be held from 22-24 April 2009 and present an agenda that addresses the challenges for the global tourism industry. The main focus of this first conference will be on mobility. The event is aimed at CEOs and chairmen in the tourism industry who seek to share their experiences and learn more about current developments and trends in an informal setting. Participation is allowed "by invitation only".

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Stand in line for the new spirit

WEF Davos 2009: Overpriced rooms, water damage in the Poestli

6.2.2009

Davos. Of course, the economic crisis cast a shadow on the World Economic Forum which was staged in Davos between January 27 and 31. Klaus Schwab, founder and President of the WEF even spoke of a "sanatorium" and reminded people of the times when Davos became world famous for tuberculosis going down in literature history with Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain". Many visitors felt a new "more human" spirit. The small groups in the background are the most active ones. In this mood, nobody complained about too small and overpriced rooms. On Sunday, the people of Davos vote on the future of the congress - and once more, the future of the WEF in Davos is under discussion.

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The luxury fairy tale is over

Dubai: occupancy 30% less, rates fall drastically, first promotions

6.2.2009

Dubai. Here's the reality: no one is to escape this economic crisis. Not even Dubai. It doesn’t matter how fancy the city looks, how much money is being pumped into the economy or whatever counteractive propaganda is being spread around, there’s no way out. Tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy decline massively; Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing already recommends to reduce rates. Meanwhile, hotel rates in Dubai are like a roller coaster ride. Building cranes ceased to work, staff is released. The luxury fairy tale Dubai is over.

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Only sexy in the east?

Austrian tourism exchange ACTB fears for its existence

6.2.2009

Vienna. The traditional expert fair Austrian and Central European Travel Business recorded 100 international purchasers less in Vienna last week. But this fact is not the only issue being discussed by Oesterreich Werbung as far as the tourism market goes. A kind of "Alpine exchange" including Bavaria, Switzerland and Southern Tyrol would be an alternative.

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2008 a record year for Austria

30.1.2009

Vienna. 2008 was a record year for Austrian tourism. Room nights increased by 4.2 percent exceeding the ten-million mark for the first time. The Minister for Economic Affairs warned of too much euphoria.

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Clients drive harder bargain

Experts: Conference business to tighten even further in 2009

9.1.2009

New York. Group and conference business form one of the first victims of the swelling financial crisis. What was quickly obvious to all in city hotels on both sides of the Atlantic has now been given expression in figures published by an American research company. Even the large hotel chains are making no secret of the new situation. All sides fear further negative developments in 2009.

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Great year for Swiss tourism

12.12.2008

Bern (December 12, 2008). The Swiss tourism year 2007/08 was a very positive one. With increase in overnight stays at 3.7%, Swiss hotels crossed the 37 million mark by quite a margin. Summer season 2008 closed up 1.8%

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Wolters to change into "TUI Ferienhaus"

28.11.2008

Hanover. The TUI Wolters tour operator will be renamed "TUI Ferienhaus" as of 2009. Apart from well known "TUI Schoene Ferien", "TUI Premium" and "TUI Weltentdecker" travel worlds, the catalogues of the "TUI Ferienhaus" travel world will combine offers of 18,000 holiday houses and apartments.

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The winter is worth EUR 11 billion

Austria: Preventive alliance formed against winter losses

21.11.2008

Vienna: Austria's winter sport business is worth EUR 11 billion. In Austria, every third Euro is spent on winter sports. For the first time, a study has demonstrated exactly how important winter sports are for the Austrian economy. Industry and tourism now come together in a joint prevention initiative. At the same time, Tyrol has reported a record winter for 2007 and is planning further hefty investments, above all, in the online sector.

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Hotel Sacher to manage hideaway in the snow

21.11.2008

Vienna. For the first time, the world-famous Hotel Sacher in Vienna, is risking a step into management. It will operate a 19-room and suite noble hideaway in an Austrian top-class skiing destination. "Managed by Sacher" says the subtitle of this resort - it tastes like chocolate on a Sacher cake and ensures a worldwide reputation. The investor of the boutique hotel is a Russian oligarch who is also hitting the headlines in other matters at the moment.

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