News & Stories

Frankfurt. In 2016, German companies spent as much on their business travels as never seen before. Despite the ever-increasing diversity of virtual and digital networking, the personal encounter remains important for companies. Hotel costs, however, are still tried to be kept down.

Milan. As Brexit consequences shift the investors' interest from the United Kingdom to other regions, the Italian peninsula is attracting investors who are looking for a ROI of three percent and more. At the same time, Atahotels is considering the development of a new citizenM style concept, also Meliá International has quite ambitious project plans in the country. These were only a few suggestions collected during the "Tourism Investment" conference recently organized at the Meliá Milan. The increasing international competition and foreign capital seems to have led to a new discussion about brands, concepts and contracts.

Doha. Since last Monday, five Arabian countries have cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar. The country is currently cut off from its neighbours – on land, in the air and on the sea. Should the political conflict go on, one of the richest countries on earth may have to suffer economic problems, also in tourism. At "Arabian Travel Market" in mid-April, there was an optimistic mood after a difficult 2016.

Berlin. Last Friday, the German Bundestag decided on the implementation of the EU package travel directive into German legislation. The law will come into effect on July 1, 2018. This way, the discussions about overnight stays in hotels have also been solved.

Montaione, Tuscany. The German-based tour operator TUI Group just celebrated the opening of the Castelfalfi TUI Blue Selection: the first 5-star property, located in Italy as the first of the new brand launched less than one year ago. However, the challenges for the 1,100-hectare estate are not over yet, with an ambitious plan backing an investment of 250 million euros. Castelfalfi had changed direction several times before apparently finding its way now.

Tbilisi. This story is not about Georgia, the 'Peach State' in the USA, but rather the small Caucasian nation that gained its independence from the USSR in 1991. Over the last half decade, Georgia has seen spectacular growth of inbound tourism, with the number of arrivals more than tripling since 2010. For a country which is no bigger than Austria, Georgia is packed with a wide variety of attractions that are sure to appeal to a broad swathe of visitors. This diversity provides lots of opportunities to investors and operators.

Frankfurt/M. Supply and demand remain at a high level throughout Germany's events sector. The amount of conferences, meetings and seminars has increased significantly. Also the event sector in Germany becomes more and more international. The new numbers of the "Meeting- & EventBarometer 2016/2017".

Vienna. The Austrian Hotelier Association published its 18th Destination Study yesterday. Vienna remains in pole position. The association now plans to internationalise the study and from 2018 will also include South Tyrol, Bavaria and presumably also Switzerland.

Innsbruck. Whilst the snow is melting on the European Alps and winter sport is in decline, China is expanding this segment. The Ministry of Trade recently made a pitch to mid-size companies in Innsbruck in order attract Austrian experts to China.

Oetztal/Tyrol. How do you stimulate a skiing season? An American ski lift company is exclusively selling expensive season tickets and making money with the offers around the ski runs. Europe is very different – and gets lost in crowdfunding. In Saas-Fee in Switzerland, a price competition is raging; the Austrians have found more conservative and reliable alternatives. Fact is: the hotel industry is earning as well as soon as day skiers become repeated visitors. How are destinations able to attract more tourists despite the melting snow? An interesting view outside the box.