News & Stories

Munich. Chinese investors have discovered the European hotel market. Yet deals aren't so easy since culture and 'wavelength' have an enormous role to play. Despite all the differences though, Chinese interest in Europe remains high. One extremely well-attended panel of the "Hospitality Industry Dialogue" hotel conference at the Expo Real Munich looked at the intentions and expectations with which the Chinese seek to become active in Germany and other countries and how these investors think.

Barcelona. Without totally abandoning its license moratorium on hotels agreed July 3, the municipality of Barcelona is reconsidering certain projects.

Munich. Higher, quicker, further – almost everyone exuded optimism at Expo Real 2015. Investors, consultants, developers, politicians, lawyers, and hoteliers gave their best shot at Expo Real 2015. There were deals, discussions and genuine celebrations, as this year very much looks like it will be a good one. However, those sounding a note of caution and warning were far from being overheard – even among hotel experts. In the wake of the gigantic field of commercial real estate, hospitality remains a small player despite its growth – but it is being increasingly appreciated.

Munich. Optimism was yesterday; today it is euphoria. Some real estate rates are going through the roof, but the yield remains modest. The 18th Expo Real, which ended on Wednesday in Munich, reflected the current luxury problem of the industry – including the hotel industry: capital is available in abundance, but there are fewer and fewer purchasable products. What is more, there is no end in sight to this balancing act, which makes life hard for investors, developers and hotel operators alike. According to experts, the interest rates will remain low. Every so often, crash-experienced people warned of future single bubbles here and there. However, these voices largely petered out. Everyone was after deals, deals, deals... Those who do not partake in deals will be left standing in the market in a few years – also in the hotel industry.

Huangzhou. In China, near the city of Hauangzhou with 8.7 inhabitants, the Amanresorts luxury hotel group has transformed an old tea farming village into an elegant resort. However, while the hotel collection is established on the preservation of tradition and culture, above all, the Chinese are coming because it is fashionable to be able to inform their Facebook friends that they have just spent the night at the most expensive hotel in the area. 90 percent of the Amanfayun guests are Chinese – all rich citizens who escape to the refined resort on the outskirts of the city to celebrate their lifestyle there and to mingle with others showing up in hotpants and silver stilettos in the temple.

Havana. After 55 years of economic embargo, the US are opening up again to Cuba. All chains are trying to enter the market but will have to deal with the dominant local developer Gaviota. The minister of tourism announces 85,000 rooms within the next 5 years.

London. Hotels in the British capital are doing well, but they could have done better. A recent report explains that the Rugby World Cup currently playing in the UK is a booster, but that the euro's weakness, Airbnb and lookalike businesses are pressurizing occupancy and RevPar. Midscale hotels are suffering most.

Munich. Smartphones, tablets and the like are constant companions on the road. Mobile devices can check in or check out their owners and increasingly often, they are able to open the room for them. Some of these mobile trends indeed improve the travel experience, but as a recent survey clearly shows, even business travellers wish to be personally addressed at their hotel.

Munich. With the introduction of a hotel umbrella brand, the FTI tour operator has now declared hotels as a strategic growth field. "Labranda" is starting with 24 properties. With this, Dietmar Gunz, Group Managing Director with FTI, wants to increase business volume in the upscale resorts.

Amsterdam. Will terrorism win over tourism? This summer, trends show how tourist flows avoided the African coast of the Mediterranean. While Tunisia, Turkey, Egypt and even Morocco struggled to attract visitors, destinations such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and even Greece reported record numbers.