Markets & Performance Europe Opinion Articles

September 18, 2019

Amid Brexit Fatigue, Hoteliers Converge in Manchester to Talk UK Market

It's wild times in the UK. At least that's the perception of this here Yankee. Regardless of politics, ever since Jan. 20, 2017, the U.S. has been on a rambunctious ride of its own, and now, with the appointment of Boris Johnson as UK prime minister on July 24, 2019, the UK has gotten to join in the rollicking fun, as the calendar moves closer to Oct. 31, the day the UK is slated to leave the EU bloc.

By David Eisen, Content Director, Media, Questex

United Kingdom

Opinion Article

September 2, 2019

Paris Hotel Market – A Rocky Start to the Year

Since our previous article in April 2018, the business environment in France has experienced positive change with a decrease in unemployment rate and an increase in purchasing power, following the 'gilets jaunes' disruption. The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts modest GDP growth to pick up to around 1.5% for the foreseeable future. In terms of tourism, Paris enjoys an exceptionally well-balanced mix of business and leisure demand, which allows the City of Lights to have both a broad seasonality and strong average rate. Paris has remained, alongside London, one of the two most desirable destinations for hotel investment for more than a decade.

By Sophie Perret and Dayk Balyozyan

Paris, France

Opinion Article

August 14, 2019

Creating a Forecasting Model for Swiss Hotels: What’s in it for Hoteliers?

Researchers at Ecole hôteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland are developing a forecasting model to predict guest stays at Swiss hotels but how useful will the model be for hoteliers?

By Stuart Pallister, Head of Academic Editorial Content, EHL

Switzerland

Opinion Article

July 11, 2019

Amsterdam Hotel Market – Rate Growth Paves the Way

Amsterdam is in the province of North Holland, in the heart of the Randstad, Europe's sixth-largest metropolitan area. The city of Amsterdam is the capital and the largest city in the Netherlands, with a population of just over 850,000 recorded in 2018. While Amsterdam is known globally for its historic canals, art museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum), red-light district and 'coffee' shops, it is also a significant European financial centre. Approximately 2,000 foreign companies have established offices in the Amsterdam metropolitan area, and more than 200 of these companies have headquarters in the city. The Dutch capital is consistently ranked among the best cities in which to live and has become an increasingly popular gateway destination thanks to its excellent connectivity via Schiphol Airport, the port of Amsterdam and high-speed rail services such as Eurostar.

By Sophie Perret and Mattia Cavenati

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Opinion Article

June 25, 2019

In Focus: Chania City, Greece

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. The largest city, and the island’s capital, is Heraklio. The island is currently the most popular destination in Greece in terms of international visitation. Administratively, it is divided into four prefectures (namely Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio, and Lassithi) while major cities and tourism destinations are Heraklio, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno, Sitia, Ierapetra, Malia, Hersonissos, Elounda, and Kissamos.

By Nana Boussia and Pavlos Papadimitriou

Chania City, Greece

Opinion Article

May 3, 2019

UK Hotel Market Tracker Q1 2019

RevPAR in the UK’s regional hotels dropped 2.8% in Q1 2019, according to the latest UK Hotel Market Tracker: Q1 2019, produced by HVS London, AlixPartners and STR.

By Russell Kett, Chairman at HVS - London Office, HVS

United Kingdom

Opinion Article

September 18, 2018

Budapest – On The Up

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and the ninth-largest city in the EU, with close to 1.7 million inhabitants in 2018. Budapest traditionally had a strong industrial focus, but has since shifted to the service industries including banking, finance and real estate. The city is also a cultural and historic centre, with several renowned monuments including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Buda Castle district and the banks of the Danube. The city is also filled with various museums, parks, squares and a variety of restaurants and bars, making it the perfect weekend destination.

By Arlett Hoff and Magalí Castell

Budapest, Hungary

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Mews

Opinion Article

July 3, 2018

Personal data protection and the hospitality industry in France

Hoteliers have a duty to use enhanced security measures to protect guests. This contractual obligation covers all aspects of guests’ private lives, from the protection of their person and property to the protection of their image and personal or confidential data.

By Christopher Boinet, Anne Epinat, and Sarra Jougla-Ygouf

France

Opinion Article

April 24, 2018

The Visitors 5: The Return

A recovery is wafting over Europe's economy, indicators are in the green, the time has come to reinvest. Our European destinations will fully benefit from this recovery. Less unemployment, better revenues, positive growth perspectives, all the ingredients are at hand to boost arrivals in tourism destinations.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

France

Opinion Article

April 4, 2018

The French Hotel Supply Market: Nothing begets nothing!

Without a doubt the machine is jammed. The French hotel supply has been stable for nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, all other major and competing destinations have largely developed their supplies in the face of globalization and the liberalization of trade and travel. This is true in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom... It is time to check out and service the engine driving France's supply before it breaks down for good. For the moment there is a fuel shortage, but care must be taken because the malfunction is getting worse.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

France

Opinion Article

January 10, 2018

2018, a fresh start for France's tourism industry!

As the new year begins, it's not a bad idea to look behind us. Such moments of introspection can help us get ahead. A look at Paris illustrates all we need to do to improve France's tourism development.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

France

Opinion Article

August 16, 2017

How Owners And Operators Successfully Negotiate In France ‘reverse’ Hotel Management Agreements

In France, the negotiation to determine whether the hotel's employees are employed by the owner or the operator is a contractual key matter. French owners require more frequently to pass the responsibility of employment to the operator, which has significant consequences on the negotiating and on the drafting of hotel management agreements.

By Christopher Boinet, Lawyer, In Extenso Avocats

France

Opinion Article

March 13, 2017

In Focus: Florence, Italy

This market snapshot presents current data and information on the upscale and luxury hotel and tourism industry in Florence, Italy. In writing such articles, we utilise the expertise of HVS in each market to the full extent by combining our in-house data and research together with published information regarding the examined destinations. A separate publication about the region of Tuscany will follow.

By Ezio Poinelli, Themis Trakas, and Filippo Brivio

Florence, Italy

Opinion Article

January 31, 2017

Brexit’s Repercussions on the Hospitality Sector

The referendum result in the U.K. this past summer has plunged the U.K. into a period of uncertainty as the country waits to find out what the decision to leave the European Union will mean exactly. A plummeting in the value of the pound was the most apparent immediate impact of the vote in June, along with a whirlwind of successive resignations among the country's political leadership. As the U.K. waits for Article 50 to be triggered and for the terms of exit from the EU to become apparent, we take a look at what immediate impact there has been on the U.K. hospitality sector and what the future may look like.

By Chris Mumford, Managing Director, AETHOS Consulting Group

United Kingdom

Opinion Article

January 23, 2017

Tourism in France: Spot the error!

Despite the accumulation of natural catastrophes, social movements, terrorist attacks and economic depression, tourists are still present in France. And we might almost admire them for all the challenges they must get through to reach the destination. While their numbers may be smaller, there are still plenty left to welcome under excellent conditions.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

France

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The next-gen metrics that move hotel P&L

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Mews

Opinion Article

January 20, 2017

Red-Hot Growth in an Ice-Cold Land: An Overview of Iceland's Hotel Market

IntroductionSince the eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, Iceland has seen an incredible boom in tourism with growth rates unmatched anywhere else in Europe. Media coverage of the eruption brought increased awareness of the natural beauty of the remote nation which, when coupled with the severe decline in the Icelandic krona compared to other major currencies after the financial crisis, led to an unforeseen explosion in tourism of volcanic proportions. With the growth in hotels unable to keep pace with the record number of tourists visiting the country, Airbnb and similar companies have flourished. This article provides an overview of Iceland's hotel market followed by a brief look at its sharing economy.

By Stephen Collins, Associate Director with HVS’s London office, HVS

Iceland

Opinion Article

November 29, 2016

Putting Politics Aside: Hospitality Industry Remains Positive And Says “Let’s Start Implementing Plans for Dealing with Brexit”

This week's briefing jointly organised by Dentons, Horizons and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum/Bench Events proved to be as insightful as expected. It was a mix of market updates and intelligence, news on up-and- coming restaurant concepts as well as a talk on the do's and dont's when expanding internationally and an earnest discourse on Brexit.

By Thomas Mielke, Managing Director, AETHOS Consulting Group

United Kingdom

HN Original

Opinion Article

November 28, 2016

Hotels Europe: Challenges and Potential 2017

Last week, in Athens, a cast of hospitality and travel tech experts gathered at the Digi.travel EMEA Conference & Expo. The conference was dedicated to online travel trends and developments, and to solutions for the most pressing challenges facing the industry. Here is a synopsis of the meet-up, and the high points from some of the world's most knowledgeable hospitality-tech experts.

By Mihaela Lica Butler, Reporter, Hospitality Net

Athens, Greece

Opinion Article

November 28, 2016

In Focus: Alexandroupolis, Greece

Evros Prefecture is located in the north-eastern part of Greece in the natural boundary of the country with Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the east. To the West it borders with the prefecture of Rodopi, access to which is possible via the Egnatia Odos Highway and to the south it lies on the coast of the Thracian Sea (part of the North Aegean Sea). Over the last decade, the tourism sector has recorded significant development while several investments related to the hotel industry have materialized in the area.

By Nana Boussia, Associate at HVS Athens, HVS

Alexandroupolis, Greece

Opinion Article

August 19, 2016

Brexit and Travel: The Risks of a Tourism Downturn in Asia

For several years, the term Brexit has become a household name in not only countries in Europe but also countries around the world, being the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. In 2012, UK Prime Minister David Cameron rejected calls for a referendum on membership in the European Union. However, he did not rule out a referendum happening in the near future. Fast forward to 24 June 2016, the people in the UK gathered and voted after a heavily publicised and contested pre-referendum period by both the 'Leave' and 'Stay' camps. In the end, 48.1% of those who voted preferred to stay and 51.9% preferred to leave. The vote was largely split by the greater London area and Scotland being in favour of 'Stay', whereas most other parts of the UK voted in favor of 'Leave'.

By Larissa Lam and Daniel Voellm

United Kingdom