News & Stories

Vienna. Increases from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany provided Austria's tourism with highly satisfying occupancy in February. Therefore, the absence of many Russian guests in winter sports locations was of no great consequence. However, the forecasts for March and April are not as good.

Dubai. Dubai needs more midscale hotels. It is only as such that the destination can achieve its enormous goals in the future. This is also how Issam Kazim, the CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing, saw it at ITB.

Milan. There is an increasing demand, especially from new and emerging markets, as well as a general increase in the average overnight stays in hotels... But: This picture about the Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy, worries more and more people considering what happened in London during the last Olympics. Fears of excessive room rates disheartened at least a part of the traditional incoming flow of visitors to the English capital. Italian tourist players were in a controversial mood about the Milan Expo 2015 during a recent round table held by Bocconi University and Skål International. The travel and accommodation industry representatives all declared a general optimistic approach towards the Universal Exposition, but then drew a picture with far more nuances - not necessarily all bright.

Milano. Expo in Milan opens on May 1: following the motto "Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life", the exposition is about nutrition, sustainability and energy. They are still working with full speed at the exposition grounds but some countries have not even started the construction of their pavilion yet. They expect more than 20 million visitors. However, the ticket sale has been slow. Concerning accommodation, they are relying on offers in the area around Milan too and on the good reachability of cities like Turin and Bologna. But there are also several new hotel openings in the city. Now, they are only trying to prevent exorbitant rates. A pre-opening visit to the Expo grounds.

Vienna. Up to now, the number of Russian overnight stays has dramatically sunk during Austria´s winter season – despite all hopes. The first figures are demonstrating this and the CEE States have compensated for the deficit. And another statistic states in view of 2015 and the anticipated holiday behaviour of Austrians: They themselves will no longer have a great desire for Germany and abroad.

Berlin. Current figures, Best Practice examples from all over the world and new, comprehensive concepts define the "ITB Experts Forum Wellness" at the Berlin Messe exhibition centre.

Berlin. The NH Hotel Group is beginning its 3D Hologram Telepresence Technology for meetings and events and at the same time, is presenting a sophisticated, interactive "All-in-One" video conference technology with which up to 250 people can work together virtually, visually and simultaneously.

Munich / Vienna. With a media drum beating last week, a transnational, close collaboration launched the marketing initiative "Your Winter. Your Sport." within the scope of the Munich winter sports trade show, ISPO. It should newly and increasingly inspire the Germans toward winter sports. Toward this, 100 partners met within the brief amount of time; remarkably many of them hold headquarters in Austria. The common denominator of this initiative is quick to be found: "Enjoy the winter sportily, everyone in their own way, " is the motto. The parties concerned are once again pooling forces internationally to accomplish this. The Austrians are turning their ears toward every movement by the neighbouring German market.

Madrid. A study carried out by the first Spanish website specialized in charming hotels, Selecta Hoteles, points out that reservations in these types of establishments decreased by around 52.02 percent in the whole year 2014 compared to 2013. For the summer period 2014, reservations declined even more dramatically, namely by 73.93 percent compared to 2013.

Rome. Waiting for Expo 2015, another year of suffering has passed by for the Italian hospitality industry: notwithstanding the continuous increase in international overnight stays and a slight recovery of domestic demand in 2014, the national hotel sector still saw a shortfall in its revenue and occupancy according to the latest figures published by the Italian hospitality association, Federalberghi. Italy’s hoteliers have not found their balance yet.