News & Stories
Madrid. So what, if anything, is true of the rumours of Hesperia`s takeover of NH Hoteles? What countries are the Spanish chains attempting to conquer? Their advance into Europe and Asia is slowly becoming obvious; the times when Spanish chains concentrated foreign activity on South America are finally over. The most recent strategies and news were to be heard at the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid. A summary of the current activities of the Spanish chains.
Frankfurt. The main reason for business travel in the year 2007 is surprising: As the current "Loves and Hates" study conducted by American Express shows, most staff travelling in the year 2007 did so in order to take part in training events. Client appointments made a close second. In comparison to the previous year, 92 percent of German business travellers travelled just as much or more this year. The significance of travel management thus continues to grow. Sustainable management, increased costs and new information technology have had no impact in this regard.
Frankfurt/M. In Germany, domestic tourism reached another high in 2007. For the first time, the Federal Statistical Office recorded more than 307 million domestic room nights in accommodation businesses with more than nine beds and on camping sites, according to the preliminary figures of January to December. This is the highest level that has ever been registered in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Duisburg. "byebye" is the name of the new company recently founded by alltours Flugreisen. The Duisburg based tour operator is now attempting to integrate current flight rates into package deals. Hotel services are purchased in accordance with pre-determined quality criteria.
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.