News & Stories

Vienna. The rich uncle no longer comes from America. In Austria's hotel industry, more and more Russians and Ukrainians have taken over this role. In the Alp arch from Oetztal to Gastein, Eastern European capital is purchasing an increasing number of objects, mainly hotels. And often, their future use remains unclear. The calculating of the purchase price often remains vague – many purchase sums are based on speculative approaches and the purchasers act undercover. The reason for the new desire to purchase is manifold and even goes as far as wanting to obtain Austrian citizenship.

Bern. Swiss hotel companies may continue to convert existing buildings into second homes. Second homes can also be built where these are used for the purpose of tourism. This was the decision of the Swiss Federal Council on Wednesday as it set about implementing the Second Home Initiative. The hotel association hotelleriesuisse, hotel companies and tourism regions are relieved by the move.

Bern. Switzerland's mountain regions demand a new tourism model and a tourism bank like the system used in Austria. The demands come in reaction to the recent result of the Second Home Initiative in Switzerland.

Munich. The financing of hotel properties has been the most important topic in the majority of industry talks in the last few months – even more important than in the previous year. Therefore, financing and assets, development and agreements will be the focus of the 11th hotel conference at Expo Real 2012 from October 8 to12 in Munich. The kick-off will be a two-hour nonstop session solely about financing – and the audience is to play a part! About 25 executives with illustrious names will participate in the five panel discussions at the "Hospitality Industry Dialogue" on Monday, October 8, 2012. Among them are well-known decision makers of the hotel and investment/real estate industry from London and Paris. Many of them will give a talk at Expo Real for the first time.

Vienna. The demand and the number of guest beds in Austria's lake regions have been decreasing for years now. A current survey not only reveals the reasons but also recommends alternatives, especially for the extension of the season.

Gstaad. It is a new patron's hotel of Switzerland, but it should integrate – stronger than others – the local population once again. The Alpina Gstaad ventures a balancing act with 56 kingly rooms and suites at high-level prices, 14 residences and three chalets at top prices and a refined gastronomy trade at moderate prices. The legend shall live again, awoken by a Swiss real estate agent and an African sugar planter. A Swiss top hotelier who is returning home to his native country after 32 years in Asia and New York has formed the multicultural bridge between everyone and everything: Nik Leuenberger. He must bridge the gap between VIPs, seasonal tourists and locals; he must fight against a growing competition, shorter lengths of stay and melting snow. A visit to the building site in Gstaad five months before its opening.

Lugano. The occupancy rates of the Ticino hotels currently leave much to be desired. However, the future opportunities for hotels in the Italian section of Switzerland are not bad.

Frégate Island/Seychelles. The new GM of the eco-friendly luxury Frégate Island Private resorts on the Seychelles goes on a promotional tour in Europe: He wants to entice families and children and has put together an authentic programme with an old-fashioned fisherman for this.

Palma de Mallorca. At the start of the hot summer months, Europe's coolest surf location, the large holiday resort Calvià Beach Resort, wants to impress with its converted Sol Wave House in Mallorca. The first European "Wave House" simulates "the perfect wave", which is the classical tube of the famous three-metre high wave of the Banzai pipeline among surf pros. With this move, Meliá Hotels International is setting new standards on its home island and participating in the reconstruction of a region with eight hotels.

Gdansk. More than three million spectators watched the EURO 2012 in Poland´s stadiums and fan miles. According to initial estimates, about 600,000 guests from 110 countries visited Poland for the Football Euro Cup.