News & Stories
Madrid. The tourism trade fair FITUR in Madrid, the second largest trade fair in the world after the ITB Berlin, reflected the global movement in the travel industry. The US and Great Britain, both shaken by the bank crises, will probably contribute to fewer overnight stays this year.
Vienna. In June 2008, some beds will remain empty in Austria's venues of the Euro 2008. Therefore, Austria's hotel industry is ruling out any snowballing rates. As in Germany, the football event will bring business travelling and conference tourism almost to a standstill.
Zurich. Euro '08 fever hasn't really taken hold in Switzerland. In the Swiss capital, Bern, where three games are scheduled to take place, many residents fear violent clashes between fans and a repeat of the antics seen at recent demonstrations. "Football matches often end in violence," one police officer said, who on Sunday was on duty along the Bern-Basel rail stretch. Even hoteliers hold back their enthusiasm for the event.
Berlin. The trendsetters in the budget hotel sector promise new savings for commercial travel agencies and business people on the move. They will be explaining the success of their marketing concepts and showing attracts the smart-spenders amongst travelling business people. Two-star accommodation has become the fastest growing market sector. For the first time, ITB Berlin organises a separate forum for the new accommodation sector. Highlight: a discussion with the budget leaders.
Cologne/Duesseldorf. Second Home International is celebrating a premiere. For the first time, a trade fair for second homes will take place in Germany from February 22 to 24 in hall 6 of the Koelnmesse between 10 am and 6 pm.
Munich. The "hotelforum" has set itself new paths for the Olympic year of 2008: For the sixth time, on 8 and 9 October, the hotel real estate conference will take place in Munich. This time though, the event presents itself as "The European Hotel Development Conference".
New York. A new type of guest is being courted by the increasingly competitive, moderately priced sector of the hotel industry: the business traveller from 25 to 45. So major hotel companies have done extensive research into the lodging preferences of this demographic group. The findings show a new trend - of equal importance to these guests are a moderate price, up-to-date technology, as well as social activities.
Bad Ragaz. The Grand Hotels Bad Ragaz recently presented their new Business & Event Centre, the new function given to their historical "Kursaal". With this, a further stage of the 140 million Swiss Franc project has been completed.