News & Stories

New York City. After the initial shock of global shutdowns, and the ensuing wave of postponements and cancellations, the MICE industry appears to be adjusting. Meeting professionals around the world transition to the world of virtual alternatives. But in-person events have already started to resume – in a new way.

Amsterdam/Brussels. A large group of Dutch restaurateurs agrees on giving the government an ultimatum: re-opening on January 17 no matter what has been decided by then. Many have nothing to lose anymore. Meanwhile, thousands of hospitality businesses are being sacrificed in the name of public health and crowded shopping streets are celebrating Black Friday. In Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg, hospitality associations are done with being victimized. They are now simply going to take it to court. All they are asking for is the right to work.

Berlin. In these times of the Covid-19 pandemic ITB Berlin will hold the world's leading travel trade show as an entirely virtual event in 2021 with the name ITB Berlin NOW.

Madrid. Since November 23, every international traveler who arrives in Spain through its ports and airports will have to undergo a new regulation of medical control. Hoteliers are asking for more tests and health corridors in tourism.

Geneva. There are signs that reinforced lockdown measures put in place in Switzerland at the end of October are starting to have an effect. The country starts the Christmas season with relief.

Rome/Milan. In order to avoid a third pandemic wave in Italy, the President of Council, Giuseppe Conte and his ministers are currently studying a plan to keep ski slopes closed at least till the end of January and to substantially ban any form of Christmas holidays. Also the discussion on rents/leases continues. Allegroitalia Hotel & Condo has issued a petition - a moratorium on forced evictions as well as orders for payment.

Vienna. There is a growing tendency in the Austrian hotel industry to keep properties closed rather than wait for international guests - who do not come anyway for lack of opportunity. Therefore, most city hotels do not want to welcome any guests until the end of February. And also in the resort hotel business nobody likes to open anymore, the more they depend on foreign, especially German guests.

Paris. While France has made clear plans about how it should safely celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve, hoteliers, bars, restaurants, clubs, and catering businesses have been sacrificed in the name of public health. Macron is also keeping the ski resorts locked over the festive period.

London. Summer provided an interim respite for the European hotel sector as average occupancy across the continent bounced back to a peak of about 40%, according to STR. However, by end October, European occupancies had sunk to below 30%, as the boost from the holiday period faded and the second wave of the corona virus intensified. Currently, Europe is lagging behind the rest of the world. The figures in China are much more encouraging.

Berlin. Dorint Hotels' Chairman of the Advisory Board, Dirk Iserlohe addressed to the German President yesterday asking him to review the violation of basic rights with respect to the hotel industry. The German government wants to introduce a law that allows hotel and restaurant closures without compensation. Retail and hospitality real estate continue to come under pressure, for the first time a bank has officially been announcing to reject financing of new hotel projects, and a hotel group is begging the population for liquidity assistance. The situation in both the German hospitality and retail sectors continues to become more acute.