Shiji Group Announces First Official ITB Berlin Attendance
Shiji Group announces its first official ITB 2019 presence to announce its global technology strategy, products, and services to the hospitality industry.
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Brian Kaufman has been named Recipient of the ISHC Young Leader Award at ISHC and IHIF
Brian Kaufman, Founder and Managing Partner at The Kaufman Companies has been announced the winner of The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) and The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Young Leader Award 2019.
ITB Berlin: Medical Tourism Is Booming Worldwide
Berlin - The world of medical tourism has long become globalised: according to the latest report by VISA and Oxford Economics (www.bit.ly/2SVZd7O), the global medical tourism industry is currently worth around 100 billion dollars. Forecasts for 2025 see growth reaching up to 25 percent. This industry is a significant economic factor for many countries and regions. From 6 to 10 March the World's Leading Travel Trade Show will be giving this mega-market of the future its own platform for the third time at the Medical Tourism Pavilion in Hall 21b.
Hauke Lenthe has been appointed as Partner and Chief Commercial Officer at Neorcha
Neorcha, a leading technology solutions provider for the hospitality sector, has appointed Hauke Lenthe, as Partner and Chief Commercial Officer, to drive Neorcha's product growth strategy and further develop the company's current offering towards the international markets. An accomplished hospitality professional with over 20 years' experience in strategy, sales and marketing, Hauke is tasked with enhancing Neorcha's growth plans, with a focus on sales, marketing and increasing market share across its operations. "Hauke joins Neorcha with a strong track record in commercial strategy, marketing and business expansion, in both the Middle East and Europe. We look forward to leveraging the experience and expertise that Hauke offers and exploring new opportunities in the markets we operate in," said Rogerl El Khoury, Managing Director and Founder of Neorcha. Neorcha is a Saas Company that provides hotels with fully integrated digital guest services to simplify processes, increase revenue and drive engagement during mobile guest journeys. Since joining Neorcha, Hauke is focused on expanding the digital transformation to hotels to enable mobile guest services that facilitate greater levels of engagement in the customer journey. "Neorcha is recognized as a leader in hospitality technology solutions and I am very excited to be joining the company at a time when it is experiencing substantial demand for its integrated digital solutions," said Hauke. "Research reveals that more than 60 percent of hotels have no mobile functionality, and that only 40 percent of hotels employ guest-facing technology, despite the demands for both. Now is the time to overhaul legacy systems in place and achieve true integration," Hauke added. Prior to joining Neorcha, Hauke worked for Shiji Group and iBAHN, where he led the development of sales strategies and marketing efforts to firmly establish business operations and enable business growth.
ITB Berlin Convention looks at the future of travel
Big names and leading international companies focus on forward-looking transportation systems and the shift in customer demands in the luxury travel market - Presentation of the latest results of an exclusive international report by Travelzoo and ITB Berlin - For exhibitors, trade visitors and the media admission to the ITB Berlin Convention 2019 from 6 to 9 March is included in the price of a ticket
Sol Kerzner to Receive IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award
The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) is delighted to announce that Sol Kerzner (KCMG), will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award during IHIF 2019. The founder and former Chairman of Kerzner International Holdings Limited has carved a prestigious and pioneering career within the hospitality industry and is widely credited as a visionary who redefined the scope and scale of destination resorts. The youngest of four children, born in Johannesburg to Russian immigrants, Kerzner's early career began in accounting before taking the helm of the family owned and operated hotel chain. He bought his first hotel, the Astra Hotel in Durban, in 1962 and quickly went on to build South Africa's first 5-star hotel, the Beverly Hills hotel. Several more hotel development projects followed, expanding beyond South Africa, until 1979 which saw Kerzner's development of Sun City, the most ambitious resort project in Africa. The ten-year project encompassed four hotels, a man-made lake, two golf courses and an entertainment centre with an indoor 6,000-seat arena in which hosted many stars including Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Shirley Bassey. Many astute acquisitions, developments and expansions followed across the globe including the creation of the internationally recognised resort brand Atlantis, as well as the renowned luxury brand One&Only Resorts. Both brands continue to grow with new projects planned for One&Only Resorts in China, Montenegro and Saudi Arabia as well as significant extension plans for the Atlantis property in Dubai.On being announced as recipient of the IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award 2019, Kerzner said: "I have been very fortunate in my career to have received some awards that have generously recognised my achievements, but it is particularly special to be honoured by the IHIF with this lifetime achievement award from my peers at what is clearly the leading hotel investment conference in the world."Alexi Khajavi, Managing Director of EMEA Hospitality + Travel Group, Questex said: "This accolade represents so much more than just intelligent hotel development. The scale, complexity and exceptional standards of luxury involved in so many of the projects that Sir Sol has launched over his illustrious career are simply remarkable and groundbreaking within the industry. It is an honour to be able to present him with the award and we look forward to welcoming him to IHIF next month".The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented during IHIF which takes place 4-6 March 2019 at the InterContinental Berlin in a dedicated session and accompanying interview, conducted by Michael Hirst OBE, Consultant to CBRE Hotels, at 15.05 on Monday 4th March.Continue to follow IHIF on Twitter @IHIF_News and use #IHIF2019 to stay up to date with the latest news from the leading annual meeting place for the industry. Also find us on Facebook,Instagram and join our LinkedIn group for industry insight and discussion. Advance registration rate expires on Friday 15th February. Full details and link to registration: www.ihif.com.
Inside Germany's sausage hotel
What do you look for in a hotel interior? A calming color scheme? Crisp white sheets?Or what about wallpaper festooned with sausages, bratwurst-shaped cushions and IRL sausages hanging from hooks on the wall?Welcome to Boebel Bratwurst Bed and Breakfast, in the small village of Rittersbach near Nuremberg, Germany, which lays claim to being the world's first sausage hotel.Many -- including, but not limited to, vegetarians and vegans -- might rather not know how the sausage gets made. But for those curious about this meaty motel, proprietor Claus Boebel filled CNN Travel in on the in(nards) and outs of his unusual inn.
Deutsche Hospitality Reduces CO2 Emissions With Green Power
Natural is sustainable. In accordance with this motto, Deutsche Hospitality reduced the CO2 emissions of its hotels by using green electricity. The analysis of the previous year's figures is now showing the first successful results.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich launches Royal Wing
From its inception, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich has had a strong royal connection. During the year of its 160th anniversary, and a decade after the introduction of Munich's most spectacular suite - the Ludwig Suite - the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten has secured the grand hotel's prime position in the luxury market with the creation of a royal wing. The central focus is the property's third presidential suite - the Maximilian Suite - in which celebrated architect Colin Finnegan combined ultimate luxury with the finest of artisan craft. The magical terrace of the Maximilian Suite is located on one of the highest points in Munich's old town, where guests have a prime view over seven of city's most magnificent buildings.
Alexander Knoedel has been appointed as Director of Sales at dailypoint
dailypoint™, the leading central data management platform, has announced the appointment of seasoned veteran, Alexander Knoedel as Director of Sales. In this role, Alexander will enhance the dailypoint™ sales efforts internationally. He brings a wealth knowledge and experience, having worked for more than seven years at MICROS / Oracle Hospitality. Having also worked within hotels, as GM of four-star superior Obermühle Boutique Resort and as Marketing & IT Manager at the Best Western Premier Hotel Obermühle, so he understands the current demands and technology needs of current hoteliers.
ITB Business Travel Forum: Knowing what is important tomorrow
Experts provide information on changing face of mobility - Focus on practical advantages for users - Networking lunch on the combined stand of the VDR and ITB BerlinBerlin, 28 January 2019 - Smart mobility concepts for the future: on 6 und 7 March 2019 the ITB Business Travel Forum will be providing information on innovative approaches such as mobility apps and ride sharing services, which will have a long-term impact on business travel in the future. The two-day event will also highlight how the business travel market can react to the challenges posed by the ever-quickening pace of new sharing concepts, digitalisation and globalisation. For exhibitors, trade visitors and the media, admission to the ITB Business Travel Forum in Hall 7.1a, Room New York 1, is included in the price of a ticket.
Focus on digitality and the ‘human factor’ at the ITB MICE Forum 2019
The latest trends and strategies for the future at the international meeting place of the industry's event managers at the World's Leading Travel Trade Show - Headline topic: what is the role of analogue touchpoints in the age of the digital revolution? - New: for the first time the MICE Forum will take place over two days and occupy its own hall along with Business Travel
Art-Invest acquires dual-branded Ibis Styles and Ibis Budget in Bayreuth, Germany
German real estate fund Art-Invest Real Estate is acquiring the dual-branded Ibis Styles and Ibis Budget hotel in Bayreuth, Germany from local developer Fuchs & Söhne. The property is currently under construction and is planned to open in 2020. Both hotels will be operated by GHotel Germany GmbH under a long-term lease agreement and subject to a franchise agreement with AccorHotels. The property will have a combined 180 rooms, with 96 operated under the Ibis Styles brand and 84 under the Ibis Budget brand.
STR: Munich hotel supply to grow 15% by 2020
Munich's hotel inventory is expected to grow by 39 new properties and 7,397 rooms by 2020—a 15.4% increase to the market's existing supply—according to STR's AM:PM database.Munich's hotel room inventory has increased 11.3% since the end of 2015. Currently, the Munich market comprises 463 hotels and 47,880 rooms, making it the third-largest hotel market in Germany. Berlin and Frankfurt rank first and second with 73,211 rooms and 48,507 rooms, respectively. Christian Strieder, STR's Country Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, notes that Munich's performance has shifted in recent years amid significant supply growth. Occupancy declined in both 2016 (-3.4%) and 2017 (-0.4%), and was down 0.6% through the first 10 months of 2018. However, while average daily rate (ADR) fell 4.0% in 2017, the metric was up 4.0% for that October 2018 year-to-date time period. Demand (room nights sold) was up 4.2% as well. "Event and conference business tends to play a key role in Munich's hotel business," Strieder said. "We often see a fluctuation in hotel demand from events, while regular corporate demand usually remains steady. Markets that rely heavily on event business can experience sharp seasonal fluctuations in year-over-year performance levels. Large conferences will shift locations, and those that remain in the same city are usually not held annually. As Munich's hotel inventory expands, and the market continues to accommodate large events, it may take time for performance to stabilize during non-peak periods."
Hotel Indigo Berlin – East Side Gallery, the third Hotel Indigo to open in Germany's capital
The 118- room Hotel Indigo Berlin - East Side Gallery takes its design cues from the creative energy of the East Side neighbourhood, marrying raw industrial architecture with retro elements such as graffiti blocks and a bright colour scheme, inspired by the famous Trabi car. All guest rooms are fully equipped with USB outlets, a 43" inch Smart TV and complementary WiFi throughout.
Hotel Indigo Dresden – Wettiner Platz, Where Baroque Meets Industrial Design
The 132-room Hotel Indigo Dresden - Wettiner Platz is within walking distance to the historic centre of the city. The hotel is close to one of the city's most famous sites, Brühl's Terrace, nicknamed the "The Balcony of Europe", which stretches along the shore of the river Elbe. Just steps from the hotel, Kraftwerk Mitte is a former electricity plant, which has found a new life as an arts centre and regularly play host to some of the biggest DJs in Europe. Within the same neighbourhood, the Academy Of Fine Arts in Dresden, HfBK Dresden, occupies a glorious neo-Renaissance building featuring a beautiful glass dome.
Autograph Collection Hotels Welcomes Hotel Elephant Weimar
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International's distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, has revealed the latest addition to its portfolio with the reopening of Hotel Elephant Weimar following a nine month full renovation. Located in the city centre's historical market square, the hotel has been a cultural hub for more than three centuries, known for its classic Art Deco and Bauhaus features.
Scandic Hotels expands to Munich
Scandic Hotels, the largest hotel company in the Nordic countries, has signed a long-term lease agreement with developers Art-Invest Real Estate and Accumulata Real Estate regarding the operation of a new hotel, Scandic Munich Macherei.
Many Berlin's Airbnb Hosts Face Fines
Most of Berlin advertisements for Airbnb accommodation still lack the registration number. The hosts are threatened with severe penalties of up to 500,000 euros for not registering. But the business is worth it: in October 2018, the turnover in Berlin was 16 million euros.
Sascha Wolff has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Design Hotels
Third member of the Executive Board is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Sascha Wolff. Sascha joined the predecessor company of Design Hotels™, lebendsart global networks AG in February 2000 - right after the company's IPO in December 1999 - as Head of Accounting and later also took over Financial Controlling. With his profound knowledge and understanding of the company's finances and internal processes, Sascha was promoted to Director of Finance in 2004 and joined the Executive Board. In 2009, he was promoted to Vice President Finance and managed to lead the company through uncertain times after the 2008/2009 worldwide financial crisis. Since then, Design Hotels™ operates on a solid financial footing, which is manifested in its year-over-year growth. Consequently, he became Vice President & Chief Financial Officer in 2014. Over the years, Sascha made significant contributions to the evolution of the company and was ultimately given responsibility for the entire Finance & Administration unit in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer. He leads the company's administrative, financial and legal affairs and handles all Investor Relation matters.