News & Stories
Innsbruck. The attraction of the Alps is to be newly consolidated: At the beginning of next week, eleven regions are to sign the "Innsbruck Manifesto" and found "theALPS". The initiative will not focus on large deals, but will lobby for the Alps as a travel destination. After a similar attempt made years ago to set up a cross-country Alpine network of tourism organisations failed, the subject is now being approached by politicians. Whether it will be successful this time round? The eleven regions currently on board are almost exclusively German-speaking regions.
Salzburg. The smaller the place, the smaller the chance that hotel projects involving international names can truly be realized. The same is true of Austria. But some capitals of the individual federal states have new things to offer. There are new developments taking place in Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck. Major projects with international names have been initiated in regions strong in tourism, but they have been put on hold for the most part. The chance of operating hotels at premium locations is small in Austria. Locals dominate the top sites. Outside the capital of Vienna, the Austrian hotel business has its pitfalls.
Zell am See. Because of a one-degree difference in temperature, a new 83-million euro water and spa landscape in Austria is not allowed to be officially called a "thermal bath". However, the operators do not regard this as a severe marketing disadvantage, but 160 rooms have to be marketed additionally in the nearby hotel by means of the new spa. In the community of Kaprun near Zell am See with 3,000 residents, not even the Steigenberger Hotel is able to take over the price leadership in the market, which is being criticised by industry experts. However, spa operator Vamed remains positive.
Vienna. Whether it be Vienna, provincial capitals or tourist regions, investors and chain hotels continue to have confidence in the capacity of the Austrian market to support further investment. The Austrian capital is currently riding high on the "luxury wave" which will add to established hotels such as the Sacher and Imperial. Nevertheless, as early as 2009 it was clear as that the growth number of beds in the Vienna is outpacing demand. And the trend persists. Yet despite this, renowned investors and hotel operators continue to plough money into the Austrian capital. An update of hotel projects in Vienna.
Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's new hotels are two things: opulent or stylish. In the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, architects fully live out their designs, just as in Dubai. Concepts in the 5-star category, crowned by renowned international brand names such as Fairmont and Shangri-La, quickly attract custom. The architecture of the futuristic Yas Hotel on Yas Island exercises an almost magnetic pull on guests, whereas a professional DJ attracts guests into the aloft hotel. But it's not all so easy.
Abu Dhabi. Call of the desert – with red sand this time. The Liwa desert near Abu Dhabi contains minerals, iron and salt. Therefore, the dunes have a red colour and desert walks are very romantic at sunrise. Two generations ago, Bedouins were living here, today it is tourists. This is because there is a luxury hotel at the edge of the desert: the Qasr Al Sarab - the "palace of miracles". In order to get there, you have to use powerful jeeps – no trace of classical camel romanticism. The distance from the city is one of the greatest challenges for Anantara Hotels, the Thai operator of Abu Dhabi’s first desert resort – besides the fact that the guests rarely stay for two nights. The hotel, built as a majestic fort, rises above the sand; its 206 rooms are sprawled over a spacious two kilometres. This is the next logistical challenge. About the miracles of a palace of wonders in the fairyland of Abu Dhabi.
Zurich. Classic congresses, conferences and conventions are event forms which look back on a long tradition. They're tried and trusted and very accepted. And in future too, in spite of – or perhaps even because – of the omnipresence of electronic means of communication, there will be a strong need for meetings in person. A table, put together by Swiss researchers, summarises future congress trends.
Johannesburg. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa ended 11 July with Spain crowned as the new champion, but which hotel market came out on top? The results show a picture of mixed performance among the various host cities across South Africa and between match and non-match days.
Hamburg. After only 16 months, the Club Aldiana in Bad Griesbach in the Bavarian Forest is set to close. A legal battle with Hartl Resorts is already making its way through the courts. On a group level, Thomas Cook has positive news: It has bought 100 percent of the tour operator Oeger Tours specialised in Turkey.
Hoernum/Sylt. A "fish factory" is what the locals are calling the sharp, wooden-panelled building located on the fringes of Hoernum harbour on the German isle of Sylt. Others complain that they are only let as far as the reception in the hotel. For the Budersand Hotel - Golf & Spa on Germany's most popular holiday island, Sylt, the second summer season has begun, and many new guests will feel: First impressions from outside are deceptive. The 79-room hotel between the dunes and tideland gives the guest a feeling of homeliness, indulgence, transparency and space. With 60 million EUR for hotel and 18-hole golf course, the project is one of the most expensive single hotel investments in German-speaking Europe.