News & Stories

Istanbul. What is the situation in the Middle East in these Corona times? If you listen to the voices of executives in this region, it becomes immediately clear: the world's assessments are largely in line with each other. This may not come as a great surprise among rational decision-makers, but it does convey a sense of common ground.

Paris. Following Marriott, Hyatt and IHG, last night also Accor commented on its measures taken in the wake of the corona crisis. They go deep, but include solidarity measures for staff members and the support of front-line healthcare professionals. The company is also already drawing a little hope from the slight recovery of the Chinese hotel market.

Zurich. The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting many Swiss accommodation businesses existentially. According to a current survey of the University of Applied Sciences and Art Western Switzerland HES-SO Valais-Wallis, the industry is on the verge of collapse.

Beijing/Geneva. As China was the first country to be hit by the coronavirus, what goes on there can give an insight into how the hotel sector will be impacted elsewhere in the world. At the present time, new infections from within the country have been brought practically to a standstill and travel restrictions in the epicentre of the virus have been relaxed. It now appears that the Chinese hotel sector has bottomed out – at least in terms of occupancy. A summary and outlook by Macy Marvel.

Munich. Resorts and wellness hotels are also taking a forced break due to corona. But Travel Charme Hotels & Resorts is sticking to its long-term plans: After this social stress test imposed by the virus, people will again need to relax.

Madrid. Since last Saturday, March 14, Spain is in a state of emergency, including the ban on going out for 15 days. It can be extended for a further 15 days if approved by Congress. More and more hotels have now been converted into hospitals.

Innsbruck. The Austrian skiing destination Tyrol contributed to the fact that the quarantine status was adopted in Austria – but by then, the virus had already been spread as far as Scandinavia and also in the country's own federal state of Arlberg. The skiing centres had become a "virus catapult". Now, the discussions have begun.

London. Right-wing populism and coronavirus denial seem to go hand-in-hand. Both Donald Trump and the UK's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, have distinguished themselves by their devil-may-care attitude towards the threat of the burgeoning coronavirus crisis. It took a while before Boris Johnson changed his mind about the virus: three days ago the government finally took concrete and more rigid measures. Macy Marvel on the procrastination of the British and the impact on their hotel industry.

Munich. The holiday is cancelled, the return actions of German tour operators are in full swing with the support of the Federal Foreign Office. At the same time, the industry giants TUI and FTI are applying for state aid. And TUI no longer provides advance payments to hotels.

Rome. The Italian government approved a new coronavirus decree last Monday, this time called "Cure Italy". It is aimed both at strengthening the health care resources and sustaining companies, workers and families.