The UK Government has announced that outbound tourists will have to make a declaration proving their journey is for essential purposes. If successful, inbound UK residents will be faced with a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine when returning from 22 high risk countries including South Africa, Portugal and South American nations;
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has said that introducing hotel quarantines in the UK would cause irreparable damage to an industry which contributes nearly £200 billion to the UK economy.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "WTTC urgently calls upon the UK government to extend the furlough scheme for those employed in the beleaguered Travel & Tourism sector."
If you'd asked me ten years ago about the future of hotel brands in the digital age, I'd have been uncertain. I could see the dramatic changes that were happening. Hotels' 'distribution costs' - particularly commissions paid to online travel agents (OTAs), other online intermediaries and brand loyalty schemes - were increasing rapidly, while fees paid to 'traditional' partners - wholesalers, tour operators, GDS, agents and the brands, themselves - showed no signs of decline.
After several years of dominating headlines, the Brexit transition period is over. What does the deal mean for EU and UK business travelers and how do we make heads or tails of the new restrictions?
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aimbridge Hospitality's international division, has announced it has been appointed to manage Jupiter Hotels' UK portfolio.Interstate will step in as the new management company for all 31 of Jupiter's UK properties from 1 December 2020.The portfolio is made up of both Mercure and Holiday Inn branded hotels, as well as two independents.Nicholas Northam, Executive Vice President International at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, said: "This is a very exciting development for Interstate, as we expand our portfolio significantly in the UK - a fast-growing market for us."The 31 properties further assert our position as a global leader in hotel management and we look forward to putting our industry talent and operational expertise into action.
The UK government's latest move that will slash the travel quarantine lockdown if passengers test negative on the fifth day, will provide a much-needed economic boost and is a step towards reviving international travel, says the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The UK's data privacy watchdog has fined the Marriott Hotels chain £18.4m for a major data breach that may have affected up to 339 million guests.
The designated Members of the Executive Board of Steigenberger Hotels AG/Deutsche Hospitality - CEO Marcus Bernhardt and CFO Dr. Ulrich Johannwille - assumed responsibility for operational management at the hotel group with effect from 1 November 2020. This new leadership pairing creates a wealth of international experience at the helm of Steigenberger Hotels AG, which brings together five separate hotel brands under the umbrella brand of Deutsche Hospitality.
Following the new three-tier system of COVID-19 restrictions that have now been rolled out in England; Ralph Hollister, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view on the situation: "According to GlobalData's most recent forecasts, total UK domestic trips are now set to drop by 64.1% this year from 122.2 million in 2019 to 43.8 million in 2020.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has urgently called on the UK government for strong leadership and unprecedented international collaboration, to save the struggling Travel & Tourism sector and recover the millions of jobs already impacted.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "For the best part of a week the UK government has delayed announcing which countries will be safe for British holidaymakers to fly to for what's left of their summer holidays, resulting in frustration and confusion among travellers.
The judicial tribunal of Paris has issued an important verdict deeming Airbnb a "publisher" of the ads which appear on its site and, for the first time, requiring AirBnB to pay damages for illegal activity which took place through its platform. While AirBnB plans to appeal the decision, if the judgement stands it could have significant legal repercussions across France and Europe.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "The UK's Travel & Tourism sector will no doubt welcome the UK government's announcement on the re-opening of hotels, pubs, restaurants and attractions from July 4, as the lockdown measures ease across England. It will help drive the recovery of a crucial sector which is worth almost £200bn or nine per cent of the UK's total economy.
Following recent news that the UK will not be taking part in an EU-led data-sharing project to reboot tourism; Ralph Hollister, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view on the situation.
As the UK looks to emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown, business leaders have been calling upon the Government to set out its plan for how we might return to some sense of normality. Unsurprisingly, the hospitality industry has been amongst the most vocal, given numerous concerns over the practicalities of reopening venues under social distancing guidelines.
The lockdown imposed in the UK to slow the spread of Covid-19 has saved many lives. Across Europe, only full lockdown has worked to reduce the reproduction number of Covid-19 below 1, slowing the rate of spread and buying time. But the economic, social and other health consequences of the suppression measures are severe. The Office for Budget Responsibility anticipates a 35 per cent fall in GDP in Q2 if current restrictions remain in force through June, and unemployment is expected to rise by 2 million to 10 per cent. The longer lockdown goes on, the greater the chance of a significant permanent reduction in living standards.
Deutsche Hospitality comes first among 15 other German hotel chains in the "Innovation" category of the 2020 "WELT Corporate Management Awards".
Hotel or business school and academic education in conjunction with skill is a very logical discussion. Hotel and business schools differ some in education but aren't completely foreign or strangers to each other. To a certain extent, the hotel school will always prepare students better in general for the hospitality industry, due to the specialization of courses.It is also a fact that hotel companies are moving away from generalist and focus on specialists.
We no longer focus on recruitment from only hospitality schools. We did years ago, but it has become an open and even field for applicants with all backgrounds. We hire candidates for their cultural fit over the hotel education and experience they may or may not have.
We recruit for roles in both the “hospitality business” and the “business of hospitality” and look to talent pools in both hospitality schools and business schools, accordingly. Candidates are always considered by their credentials, and by their likelihood to be a fit with our brands.
Cycas Hospitality has signed a management agreement with Zeal Hotels and Sandgate Investors to operate its first property in the South West of England and its second with Accor.