News & Stories
Madrid. The Spanish contractor Santiago Santana Cazorla is hitting the headlines in his own country. On February 5, he was arrested at Gran Canaria airport, but has been set free again. He is said to be involved in a corruption scandal. Cazorla is the owner of the former Thomas Cook brand of Club Aldiana and President of the Anfi group on Gran Canaria, the biggest timeshare facility in Europe, once owned by TUI.
Nuremberg. As of 1 January 2007, the hotel reservation service hotel.de acquired the conference database, the online booking system as well as the customer base of the conference agency intergerma Marketing Ltd, Hamm.
Vienna. For the first time, the tourist exchange in Vienna expands by four central European states. Nevertheless, Hungary's Minister for Tourism complains of "too much Austria", whereas Alpine destinations see the Danube countries as getting too big a piece of the pie. Austrian Travel Business, closing recently, now gets a new makeover. The new states are pushing for better representation for Eastern Europe, yet the Oesterreich Werbing is slow to react. The new face of the fair was certainly good for one thing though: the increased number of purchasers.
Andermatt. It was the next step for the major tourism project of the Egyptian Samih Sawiris in Andermatt. It can be realised in a spatial and environmentally compatible way, but without a helicopter port. This is the conclusion of the Swiss Federal Council. The voters of the communities affected will take the final decision. If everything runs as planned, construction will begin in early 2008.
Wiesbaden/Vienna. Arriving at the hotel can now be made by private jet. An Austrian business jet company has for the first time entered a consortium agreement with a British tour operator. One year's worth of research shows: The demand is there.
Hamburg. The large business travel agency chains and travel management companies have seen some big changes through the course of 2006. Owner relationships have been restructured, certain brands have disappeared completely from the market, new companies have sprouted up in Germany and national travel agencies have been formed into worldwide consortia.
Berlin. The Berlin Trade Fair together with the International Tourism Fair Berlin is now to venture into Asia. From 2008, the ITB will also take place in Singapore.