News & Stories

Berlin. Climate change, innovative forms of transportation, overtourism and changing customer demands are the key topics of the speeches, discussions and workshops at the ITB Convention 2019 in Berlin. And: The event is moving to the CityCube. Also new: Deep dive sessions to deepen the topics in a small circle.

Athens. The Mediterranean region has been outperforming the rest of Europe recently. The continuing upswing is also attracting reputable hotel brands and international investors who are putting huge sums of money on the table for resorts. At the recent "Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum" in October 2018 at the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso in Vouliagmeni, Greece, on the 'Athens Riviera', three quite different resorts were presented, including: the Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Four Seasons' coming entry into the Greek market; Borgo Egnazia, a 'transformative' luxury resort in Puglia; and the 7Pines Resort Ibiza, a more conventional luxury seaside resort.

Hanover. More adult hotels, glamping, surf camps, the digital selection of hotel rooms or a sharp increase in private label hotels: TUI Deutschland has put together an offer for the coming season based on various trends. In addition, the tour operator is introducing new destinations and is noting in its booking behaviour that Germans are still in a consumer mood.

Berlin. The German Holiday Home Association welcomes five new members into its midst. The most recent addition is HomeToGo, the world's largest search engine for holiday accommodation.

Athens. It was a nice summer for the Greek hospitality and tourism segment. From July to September 2018, total arrivals at local airports increased by 7.5% compared to the same period of last year, with the Athens airport recording a +15.3% peak. At the same time, hotel RevPAR in most Greek destinations increased at a faster pace than in most other competitive European locations.

Munich/Amsterdam. From the marketing campaign "I amsterdam" to a textbook example of overtourism: Lots has changed in the Dutch capital city over recent years, and not all of it for the better. Yet some problems are homemade, as René van Schie indicates, Leisure Director at Metropoolregio Amsterdam. At the "Hospitality Industry Dialogue" at this year's Expo Real he explained how the city is responding to the masses of tourists Amsterdam is now receiving. Among insiders, the reaction is viewed as exemplary.

Vienna. After a short breather, the next hotel projects are sprouting from the ground in Austria's booming capital city. The hotel area around Vienna's Central Station is flourishing and is doing much better than anticipated – so good in fact that even budget brands are able to sell their rooms for EUR 200 per night. Insiders still see great potential – despite the many projects announced set to commence operation over the next two years. At the same time, Vienna's West Station is losing its appeal. Fred Fettner was in Vienna and summarises the mood.

Nairobi/Paris. Africa's economic growth is whetting all global hospitality groups' appetite for the continent. The race has begun and it's fierce. Most hotel chains have been announcing roll-outs in double-digit numbers. One company should be watched carefully in its African growth: AccorHotels. It brings a wide range of its own and acquired brands to the table as well as a 1-billion-dollar investment fund in collaboration with Katara Hospitality. This gives flexibility for all facets of expansion; in addition, AccorHotels' lifestyle and digitalization approach is trying to identify Africa's young generation and address them accordingly. AccorHotels CEO Sébastien Bazin took the time to talk about this future market in detail.

Vienna. The 4 and 5-star hotels in the West Austrian holiday regions are looking back on a very successful summer 2018. Revenue per night per guest increased year-over-year in the period between May and August, up from EUR 81 to EUR 88. All the same, growth cost the top hotels dear. GOP is down.

Munich. The real estate sector’s high remains uninterrupted – it's as if there were no tomorrow and the Lehman crash, now ten years ago, had never happened. The Expo Real in Munich ended with record figures on Wednesday: with 44,536 participants, an increase of 6.6%, and 2,095 exhibitors. The floor was packed from the very first day and by the second day, it was difficult to push through the crowds. Everyone was on the look-out for "concrete gold", fired on by low interest rates and the lack of alternative investment opportunities. Europe's real estate markets are booming – especially in Germany. In 2018, investors are expected to invest similar amounts to in 2017. Beatrix Boutonnet summarises the sentiment and trends in asset classes other than hotels. Though some of these trends touch on the hotel industry as well.