News & Stories

Washington DC. Trump's travel ban has been suspended by a federal court but damage to tourism businesses and the image of the destination USA are a big concern for industry professionals. Hotel chains are awkwardly quiet about the issue. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson plays down the issue, only Choice Hotels is calling for free travel.

Athens/Munich. Greece suffers economically, but tourism shows a positive trend – despite all photos of refugees. The overall trend motivates strong Luxembourg-based funds: They now invests 250 million Euros in various properties of the Ikos/Sani Hotel Group with resorts on the islands of Corfu, Kos, and Chalkidiki. These are said to redefine all-inclusive – to a top luxury level, on par with Four Seasons – and to further expand a destination resort to a tourist magnet. Dr. Andreas Andreadis, President of the Greek tourism association, among others, is involved in the operating company.

Munich. At a press event in Munich, AmanResorts presented itself as a success story. The litigation is over, a new sales and PR team has been established and the next big vision is wellness.

Rome. The earthquake that hit Italy's central regions again has also shaken the local tourism industry. In some of the provinces suffering, tourists have nearly disappeared. Rome is also worried.

Vienna. The high point of the winter season in Austria is imminent; the start was unsteady though. Austrians still believe in the appeal of homeland as winter sport destination for tourists. They themselves though are more interested in travelling to warmer climes.

Vienna. At the moment, there is heavy snow in Austria, yet the projections for the summer 2017 are already in. Surveys have revealed that the Austrians want to travel more than ever, book earlier and intend to spend more money. Couples with good salaries focus on city tours. As far as foreign travel is concerned, many Austrians plan a trip into neighbouring countries - preferably by car. Among the long-haul destinations, the US heads up the list.

Vienna. "Overall, the result is positive, the year 2016 was strong." This was how Thomas Emanuel, Director Business Development of STR, prepared the 150 audience members for new and pleasant wind in Central and Eastern Europe. The conference room at the 9th "International Hotel Investment & Design Club Forum" in Vienna's renowned Hotel Sacher four weeks ago was packed - and a symbol of the reignited exchange à la "East meets West". There was talk of million-heavy investment, of tailwind for resorts and of the desire for more good quality hotels.

Milan. Thanks to its own merits and to external contingencies, the Italian hospitality real estate market is currently showing strong signs of recovery. Transactions are expected to reach a total value of 1 billion euros before the end of the year: a threshold never achieved before apart from 2006, when the world was definitely another place and the Lehman Brothers collapse not even imaginable.

Glattbrugg. In summer 2016, Germany once again topped the destination list for German travellers. In winter, they head for Austria. The trend towards short trips is increasing, also in the world of holiday apartments and homes. These are the findings of the current "Holiday Home Report" by Interhome.

New Jersey. After an uneven 2016, the business travel outlook for next year looks to be similarly subdued, with flat to moderate rate increases expected globally across air, hotel and ground transportation, according to "Global Business Travel Forecast 2017" by American Express Global Business Travel.